Paris Olympics: Olaore, Omole swell Nigeria’s boxing tickets

For the first time in recent times, Nigeria will be presenting three boxers at the Olympic Games after Adam Olaore and Joshua Omole increased the country’s ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic at the Africa Boxing Qualifiers.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore became the first boxer to pick her ticket to Paris and yesterday she added the gold medal to her ticket after beating African champion Hadjla Khelif of Algeria in the final of the women’s 60kg in Dakar, Senegal while both boxers are expected to compete in Paris next year.

Also yesterday, African Continental champion Olaore secured the final and third ticket for Nigeria after beating Algeria’s Mohamed Houmri in the final of the men’s 92kg.

The Nigerian took down the Algerian soldier through a split decision of 4-0 to emerge the champion of the division and secure a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Omole became the first Nigerian male boxer to secure a ticket to Paris 2024 Olympic Games after beating Ethiopia’s Yadesa Leta in the final of the men’s 57kg at the Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Senegal.

The Lagos-born pugilist was unbeaten from the first round with two knockouts in the first and quarterfinal rounds of the tournament and was flawless in the final against the Ethiopian.

The Ethiopian wanted to use the third round to counter Omole, but the Nigerian pugilist showed experience and perseverance to maintain his dominance till the end of the bout to be crowned the champion which automatically secured him a place at Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

To emerge champion, southpaw Omole knocked out Sierra Leone’s Abu Kanu in the round of 32, secured a unanimous decision of 5-0 over Ghana’s Wabib Omar in round of 16.

He recorded his second knockout in the quarterfinal against Namibia’s Morning Ndevelo.

In an explosive encounter against Cameroon’s Christian Sangue, Omole again was adjudged the winner by unanimous decision of 5-0 by the five judges.

Nigeria’s last outing in the boxing event of the Olympic Games was Rio 2026 as Efe Ajagba was the sole representative in Brazil.