It’s fire for fire as six African boxers enter the ring today (March 3) in the opening day of the World Olympic Qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
The six are among 68 boxers – 48 men and 20 women – from 19 African countries vying for the 49 Olympic slots available in the Italy qualifiers.
Ghana’s Theophilus Allotey (pictured) is the first African in action when he takes on Taipei’s quarter-finalist in last year’s World Championships, Tu Po-Wei in ring B. Afternoon session starts at 1pm Italy time (3pm East African time) and evening session starts at 7pm Italy time.
Other African boxers fighting today:
Flyweight: Shafik Mawanda (Uganda) vs Wei Xuan (Singapore), David Pina (Cape Verde) vs World Championships bronze medallist Martin Molina from Spain.
Light-middleweight: Destin Iduguboe (Nigeria) vs Seok Son Jun (Korea)
Super-heavyweight: Mohammed Firisse (Morocco) vs Omar Shiha (Norway)
Flyweight: Christine Ongare (Kenya) vs Guo Yi-Xuan (Taipei)
Lightweight: Chaymae Rhaddi (Morocco) vs Hana Okhrei (Ukraine).
The 19 African countries in Italy are Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia and Uganda.
Europe leads with 243 boxers – 141 men and 102 women – from 40 countries, Asia 151 boxers – 99 men and 52 women – representing 26 countries, Americas 118 boxers – 70 men and 48 women – from 20 countries and Oceania with 11 boxers – seven men and four women – from five countries.
In all, according to the entry check list, 598 boxers – 371 men and 227 women – are in Italy to trade leather in what promises to be a keenly contested competition after which the wheat will be sorted out from the chaff.
It will be all smiles for the 49 boxers who earn tickets to the Paris Olympics and tears for those who’ll fail to qualify.
Remember in sports you win some and lose some. You can’t all be winners.
Credit: AFBC Communications
