By Aadi Nair
PARIS (Reuters) – The first medal of the boxing competition at the Paris Games was decided on Saturday after China’s Yang Wenlu beat Wu Shih Yi to progress to the lightweight final, while the Taiwanese boxer took home the competition’s first bronze medal.
Asian Games champion Yang put on a masterful display at the North Paris Arena to completely dismantle her opponent and score a unanimous win.
She next faces either defending champion Kellie Harrington of Ireland or Tokyo silver medallist Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil.
Yang’s compatriot Wu Yu, the Asian Games and world champion, also won in the flyweight division, dispatching Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat with ease.
Earlier on Saturday, Philippines’ Carlo Paalam, a silver medallist in Tokyo three years ago, was eliminated from the featherweight category by Australia’s Charlie Senior after a split-decision win.
“This feels amazing. It’s a dream come true. I’m just grateful I could do it in front of all my fans and family who were here to support me,” Senior said after assuring a medal for Australia.
“I thought I’d won. I knew the rounds were close and going into the third I knew it was all down to that round.
“But finishing the third I knew I could box cleaner, get out of the way and score the points. It’s not about hitting as hard as you can, it’s about boxing, getting it done and winning the fight.”
Uzbek duo Abdumalik Khalokov (featherweight) and Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev (welterweight) clinched 5-0 wins in their respective quarter-finals to progress to the last four and add two medals to the country’s tally.
“Every sportsman has their goals. I achieved one of my dreams when I became the world champion,” Muydinkhujaev said.
“It is also my dream to be an Olympic champion. My parents are praying for me to be an Olympic champion. And I will be one.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Paris; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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