Africa’s The attempt to secure a spot at the Paris Olympics during the qualifiers in Busto-Arsizio, Italy didn't go well. None of the 68 boxers managed to get one of the 49 available slots in the first World Olympic Qualification tournament, which ended on Tuesday.
By Monday, only three female African boxers remained in the competition. 65 African boxers, including all 48 male fighters, had already been knocked out before the quarter-finals.
The three female boxers were defeated in their fights on Monday night.
Tunisia’s bantamweight Islem Ferchichi suffered a loss, beaten by Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh, who dominated the three rounds for a convincing unanimous points victory.
There were high expectations for Cape Verde’s Ivanusa Moreira, the African welterweight champion, but she lost to 2019 world silver medallist Angela Carini from Italy, who won each of the three rounds 10:9 for a 30:27 victory.
Nigeria’s Africa silver medallist Patricia Mbata showed the most promise among the three African boxers.
After losing the first round with 10:9 points, Mbata made a strong comeback in the second round, which she won 10:8, leading 19-18 due to a point deducted after a warning on Polish 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Elzbieta Wojcik.
However, Wojcik fought back and won the third round 10-9, tying the score at 28-28.
With Wojcik winning two rounds, the victory went to her at 5-0.
Mbata’s defeat marked a pitiful end to the journey to Paris for the 68 African boxers who participated in the Italy qualifiers, as none of them qualified for the Paris Olympics.
But not all hope is gone for the African boxers, as they still have another opportunity to attempt their luck at the second World Olympic Qualifiers set for Bangkok, Thailand from May 23 to June 3.
With most of the top boxers already securing their Paris tickets in the continental and Italy qualifiers, the Thailand qualifiers will be less intense, offering the top African boxers a chance to make it to the Olympic Games.
Currently, Africa has 18 boxers, including three Nigerians, who have secured their Paris tickets after the Africa Olympic qualifiers last year in Dakar, Senegal.
