Africa’s three boxers in action today are all from Algeria featuring in pre-quarters.
They are Africa lightweight champion Hedjila Khelif (pictured), two-time Africa gold medallist Jugurtha Ait Bekka and Africa silver and bronze medallist Mourad Kadi.
Hedjila is pitted against Serbia’s Natalia Shadrina, Jugurtha fights Cuba’s world silver medallist Erislandy Alvares at light-welterweight and super-heavyweight Mourad Kadi trades leather against four-time French champion and twice bronze medallist in the Mediterranean Games Djamili-Dini Aboudou.
The Nigerian officials are still mum on suspended Cynthia Ogunsemilore. Sources told me the Nigerians are making last-ditch efforts to have her reinstated following a suspension by the International Testing Agency for a doping offence.
Cynthia, who has denied she doped, is lined up against Taipei’s 2022 Asian Games champion Wu Shi-yi in today’s schedule.
So far five African boxers – out of the 23 who qualified for the Games – have been eliminated.
Credit: AFBC Communications
