LEADING WITH FIVE LICENCES

The II World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for boxing, held from May 24 to June 2 in Bangkok, was a crucial event for Azerbaijan's national team. Represented by nine boxers, their primary goal was to secure as many licences as possible for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Two Bangkok Successes

Azerbaijan's contenders included Shamil Askerov (57 kg), Malik Hasanov (63.5 kg), Sarkhan Aliyev (71 kg), Alfonso Dominguez (92 kg), Marjona Savrieva (50 kg), Zeinab Rahimova (54 kg), Mahsati Gamzayeva (57 kg), Shahla Allahverdiyeva (66 kg), and Ainur Rzayeva (75 kg). Out of these athletes, two successfully achieved their targets.

Competing against over 600 boxers from 133 countries, the tournament’s intensity was high as it was the final opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. Malik Hasanov, competing in the 63.5 kg category, impressed early on by securing a ticket to Paris. He reached the semi-finals by defeating Colombia's Jose Manuel Viafara in the quarter-finals by split decision, earning his Olympic licence.

World champion Alfonso Dominguez (92 kg) also secured his place at the Olympics. In his quarter-final match, he outperformed Elkin Adilbek Uulu from Kyrgyzstan, winning decisively with a 5-0 score, thus advancing to the semi-finals and securing his spot in Paris 2024.

Five Boxers Heading to Paris

The Paris Olympics will host competitions in seven weight categories, with a total of 121 male boxers vying for titles. Seventeen boxers will compete in the 51, 57, and 80 kg categories, 19 in the 63.5 and 71 kg categories, and 16 in the 92 and +92 kg categories.

Forty-nine teams, including the Olympic refugee team, will be represented in the French capital. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are notable for having competitors in all weight categories. Azerbaijan’s national team will be represented by five boxers: Nijat Huseynov (51 kg), Malik Hasanov (63.5 kg), Murad Allahverdiyev (80 kg), Alfonso Dominguez (92 kg), and Muhammad Abdullayev (+92 kg). Azerbaijan will not compete in the 57 and 71 kg categories.

Azerbaijan stands out by securing five licences, trailing only behind Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Australia, who have six qualifications. Remarkably, Azerbaijan shares the fourth place with Cuba, a renowned boxing powerhouse. Among the 121 boxers participating in Paris 2024, only 48 will represent Europe, with Azerbaijan claiming the top spot alongside Spain, each with five qualifications.

Aiming for Olympic Glory

Malik Hasanov (63.5 kg), one of the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, expressed his determination and aspirations. "The competition was intense, with boxers from around 80 countries in my weight category. I won four fights to secure the licence and achieved my goal for this tournament. Now, new challenges lie ahead. My dream is to make history at the Olympics and win a gold medal. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supports me, especially the Federation's management and coaches."

Head coach of the Azerbaijani national team, Pedro Roque, expressed his satisfaction with the results. "Given that this was the last qualifying tournament, all strong teams participated, making the competition fierce. We secured two licences in this tournament, bringing our total to five, making us leaders in Europe. Worldwide, we rank in the top five. Alfonso Dominguez aims to upgrade his Tokyo bronze to gold in Paris. This is my second tenure in Azerbaijan, and my dream is to convert our previous silver into gold. We will do everything possible to achieve this."

The boxing events at the Paris Olympics will take place from July 27 to August 10.