September 18, (THEWILL) – The Africa Olympics Boxing Qualifier held in Dakar, Senegal, saw fierce competition amongst 41 participating countries for 18 qualification slots at the Paris 2024 Games.
Algeria dominated by securing 5 slots, including 4 gold medals, but there were surprises too. Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Roumaysa Boualam won gold in the women’s 66kg and 50kg categories. Nigeria, who missed out on Tokyo 2020, had an impressive showing, matching Egypt and Morocco with 3 slots each.
Nigeria pulled off upset wins over Algeria, with Adam Olaore beating Houmri Mohamed in the men’s 92kg and Cynthia Ogunsemilore defeating favourite Hadjila Khelif in the women’s 60kg. Joshua Omole Dolapo also qualified for Nigeria. Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba stopped Eladine Zidi to claim the only slot outside North and West Africa.
Morocco’s Khadija Mardi, a 2016 Rio Olympian, used her experience to defeat Kenya’s Elizabeth Andiego and qualify at middleweight. Mauritius veteran, Louis Richarno Colin, won bronze, losing to Algeria’s Jugurtha Bekka in the men’s 63.5kg final. However, there was disappointment for Ghana and hosts Senegal, who finished without any slots despite strong challenges.
44 European boxers have already qualified for Paris. Qualification continues this weekend at the Asian Games in China, then onto the Pan American Games in Chile and the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. The final opportunity will be the World Qualifiers in Italy and Thailand in March and May.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
