Tanzania boxer sails to quarters

TANZANIAN pugilist Yusuf Changalawe has extended his chances to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France after outpointing Mpi Anauel Ngamissengue of Congo Brazzaville on Sunday evening.

Changalawe won against his opponent by a unanimous decision from the judges in a light heavyweight category round of 16 at Dakar Arena in Senegal, thus excelling in the qualifiers quarter-finals.

But the going is still tough as 18 Olympic quota berths are on the line. There is one men’s quota available in each of the seven weight classes and two quotas up for grabs in each of the women’s weight classes, except only a single spot is available in the 75kg division.

Hence, Changalawe and the rest of the Tanzanian boxers seeking the qualification must win gold for men to secure a spot for Tanzania in next year’s games.

For ladies, they require gold or silver.

Tanzania travelled with a team of six boxers. On the men’s side include Changalawe, Salum Mwalami, Mohamed Abdallah and Musa Maregesi. On the ladies’ side include Zulfa Yusufu and Grace Mwakamele.

Out of six boxers in Dakar from Tanzania, only four boxers are still on track to win gold or silver.

Salum Mwalami and Zulfa Yusufu are the two boxers eliminated in the qualifiers race. Mwalami failed to advance after losing to Idriss Kitangila of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32.

On the ladies’ side, Zulfa lost to Adeiola Oyesiji of Nigeria in the round of 16.

Zulfa had a good start in the qualifiers race, winning against Grace Nankinga of Uganda in the round of 32.

The Olympic qualifier commenced on September 9th and will climax this Friday with 18 boxers assured to travel to Paris. After completing the continental qualifiers, a second chance will follow for all boxers who did not win a ticket to Paris.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), boxers who do not qualify for quota seats in Dakar will have another chance at the two world qualification competitions in Busto Arzizio, Italy from February 29th to March 12th and Bangkok, Thailand from May 23rd to June 3rd.

In Europe, 44 boxers earned quota spots for their Paris Olympic Games.