Rafael Lozano Serrano followed his father’s Olympic pathway
Spain’s Rafael Lozano Serrano followed his father footsteps and he has qualified for the Paris Olympics during the afternoon session of the 2nd World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Bangkok.
The women’s bantamweight (54kg) delivered sensational quota bouts and Asian dominancy as Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiao Wen, Mongolia’s Enkhjargal Munguntsetseg and South Korea’s Im Ae Ji all achieved spots for Paris. The only European was Ireland’s Jennifer Lehane who acquired a quota today after beating Hungary’s Hanna Lakotar.
Jessica Triebelova returned to the sport after a break and she earned a well-deserved quota in her key contest against France’s Emilie Sonvico today. She won this quarter-final at the women’s welterweight (66kg) by 3:2 split decision and this was Slovakia’s first quota for the Paris Olympics.
DR Congo’s Brigitte Mbabi had a disadvantage against Cape Verde’s Ivanusa Moreira after the first round but the welterweight (66kg) boxer was able to turn back their quota contest. Mbabi stopped her African opponent and she earned DR Congo’s first quota in boxing.
Ireland’s next quota was achieved by their Grainne Walsh at the women’s welterweight (66kg) while Thailand and Kazakhstan increased the number of their quotas at the middleweight (75kg) in the afternoon session.
Mexico was successful at the Panamerican Games last October and their best female boxer, Citlalli Ortiz looked highly motivated against Nigeria’s Patricia Mbata and she won the key bout.
Spain’s Rafael Lozano Munoz qualified for his first Olympics in 1992 and the head coach of the national team enjoyed his son’s success today. The exceptional flyweight (51kg) talent Rafael Lozano Serrano is only 20 but he made a perfect game play against DPR Korea’s So Chon Ryong to achieve Spain’s fifth quota in boxing.
Cape Verde’s David De Pina boxed over his level in the entire qualification event in Bangkok and he demonstrated his skills against Iran’s Mahdi Parvizi to achieve his country’s first quota for Paris.