Kellie Harrington is now a medallist in Paris and she is near to defend her throne

Ireland’s Kellie Harrington advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s lightweight (60kg) in the Paris Olympics and she is on the best way to defend her title.

Jose Quiles claimed a silver medal in the last European Games but he was not the favourite against Kazakhstan’s World Champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan in their featherweight (57kg) meeting. The Spaniard prepared well from the Kazakh boxer and he controlled the first and second rounds enough to cause a huge surprise in Paris.

Rami Kiwan progressed so rapidly and the European Champion eliminated Australia’s Pacific Games winner Shannan Davey while United States’ Omari Jones controlled his bout in this light middleweight (71kg) against Chinese Taipei’s Kan Chia Wei.

Australia’s Caitlin Parker opened her campaign successfully in Paris against Mexico’s strong attacker, Citlalli Ortiz and she joined the last eight at the women’s middleweight (75kg). Morocco’s World Champion Khadija Mardi also won her debuting contest in the French capital, she was slightly better than Great Britain’s Chantelle Reid.

Australia’s Charlie Senior prepared hard to the Olympic Games in the recent nine months but he had to meet Belgium’s European Champion Vasile Usturoi at the featherweight (57kg) today. The Aussie boxer exceeded his previous level, he found the best fighting distance quickly to eliminate one of the medal favourites in Paris.

Boxing Refugee Team’s powerful Cindy Winner Ngamba shocked the top favourite of the women’s middleweight (75kg), Canada’s Tammara Thibeault in the first round. Ngamba has impressive punching power but she delivered the next sensation in Paris with her success over the unbeaten Canadian.

Ireland’s Kellie Harrington is the defending champion at the women’s lightweight (60kg) and she is on the best way to achieve her second title in the Olympics. The Irish veteran controlled the first and third rounds well enough against Colombia’s Angie Paola Valdes and she achieved a guaranteed medal in Paris.