Images: Tara Robins Mari
Superheavy, Martin McDonagh, has won through to the Round of 16 at the 1st Olympic World Qualifier.
He contested against Turkey’s Yusuf Acik, in a bout which saw him win every round, but in which a point was deducated from both boxers in the second.
Martin will contest his next bout against Belarussian born Bahrain boxer, and Olympian, Danis Latypov. He is between the ropes again in Saturday’s Afternoon Session.
Martin, after his bout speaking to Irish News, said “If it was all about experience, I’d be gone in the first round. I have to focus on myself, the coaches come up with a game-plan. Look, all these guys have more experience than I have, but it’s just… talent. It shouldn’t be possible for me to boxing at this standard for the amount of fights I have – I’m just thankful. This is the place where dreams can come to reality – if you dream big enough and you push yourself every step of the way, you’re going to get to where your dream is.”
602 boxers from 113 countries have registered to contest the tournament – making it the third largest boxing tournament in history. As a result, the beginning of boxing has been brought forward by a day, to March 3rd. Three sessions of boxing will take place March 4th to 8th to accommodate the volume of competition required.
49 quota places are available. In all weights Ireland is contesting at the tournament, a last four finish will qualify for Paris. The Paris Boxing Taskforce, which is running the competition on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, has advised that boxers will box to quota – which means boxers will cease competing at the Quarter Finals stage where last 4 qualify.
Day Five – March 7th
One Ireland boxer is in action on March 7th, Tokyo bronze medalist, Aidan Walsh. Aidan, in his opening bout, recorded a first round stoppage win over United Arab Emirates boxer Husain Alkandari. Tomorrow, he takes on ill take on Brazil’s Wanderson de Oliveira. The Brazilian is also a Tokyo Olympian and contested the Games at light welterweight. He existed at the Quarter Final stage to eventual champion, Andy Cruz
That bout, Bout 11 in Ring A, will take place at around 1pm, Irish time.
Programme, March 7th
Session Times
The morning session begins at 10am, Irish time
The afternoon session begins at 2.30pm, Irish time
The evening session may begin at either 6pm or 7pm Irish time, see below.
There is no afternoon session on March 4th.
Tournament Schedule
Watch live
Olympics.com will stream all of the bouts, from March 8th, onward. It will not stream boxing from March 3rd to 7th.
Team
1st Olympic World Qualifier Team:
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow
54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
57kg Jude Gallagher, Two Castles ABC, Tyrone
71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family GG BC, Belfast
80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviours Crystal, Waterford
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Crumlin BC, Dublin
Results
All drawsheets are available here
March 3rd results are here
Session 9A results
Session 9B results
Session 10A results
Session 10B results
Session 11A results
Session 11B results were not available at the time of writing, 10:28pm.