Nigeria’s Temitayo qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics as Mbata misses out
Patricia Mbata’s hope of featuring in the women’s boxing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games in the colours of Nigeria, suffered a huge setback yesterday at African Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, as she lost out in the semi-final.
Mbata, who was Nigeria’s favourite to pick one of the Olympics tickets prior to the qualifier based on her performances in Africa, was beaten by Morocco’s Mardi Khadija in the women’s 75kg fight. The Moroccan won the fight by a 4-1 decision.
Mbata still has a chance of featuring at the 2024 Paris Olympics if she is able do well at other qualifiers later in the year.
But it was a different and sweet song for her compatriot, Temitayo Ogunsemilore who stopped Zambian Nkandu Felistars in round two of women’s 60kg to qualify for the final and pick a ticket for the Paris 2024 Games.
Oyesiji Adeola’s chase for the Paris 2024 Olympics slot also came to an end at the semi-final stage after a unanimous decision (0-5) defeat against Algerian 2020 Olympian, Boualam Roumaysa in the Women’s 50kg semi-final stage.
It was also bad news for Nigeria during the evening session of the Olympic Boxing qualifier in Dakar, Senegal, as Nigeria’s
Ojo Nene Joy lost to Congolese, Sakobi Matshu Marcelat through a split decision (1-4) at semi-final stage of women’s 57kg.
In the male categories Omole Dolapo Joshua is through to the final of Men’s 57kg, after a unanimous decision (5-0) win over Cameroonian Sangue Alain Christian.
Dolapo floored Christian in round two on his way to a unanimous decision win at the ongoing Africa Olympic Qualifers in Dakar, Senegal and a win for Dolapo in today’s final will seal his place for the 2024 Olympics.
Thisnigeria.com