Canadian Boxers Clinch 2024 Olympic Berths at Pan Am Games
Canadian boxers Tammara Thibeault and Wyatt Sanford secured their tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday at the Pan American Games. The top two boxers in each weight class qualified for the upcoming Olympics, with semifinal victors awarded special souvenir tickets as a symbolic gesture.
“That felt so good to have that ticket to Paris,” an elated Sanford expressed. “It’s been a lot of years, the majority of my life working for this.”
Thibeault, hailing from Shawinigan, Quebec, will face Panama’s Atheyna Bylon for the Pan Am Games middleweight gold medal on Friday. It’s a rematch of their 2022 world championship final, which Thibeault won.
Meanwhile, Sanford, from Kennetcook, Nova Scotia, will take on Mexico’s Miguel Angel Martinez for the men’s light welterweight title.
Both Thibeault and Sanford are making their second Olympic appearance, having competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Thibeault reached the quarterfinals, while Sanford was eliminated in the round of 32.
“Most people dream of having one opportunity, and we’re getting a second chance,” Sanford said, expressing his gratitude for the chance to represent Canada once again on the Olympic stage.
The 26-year-old Thibeault defeated Citlalli Vanessa Ortiz of Mexico by unanimous decision in her semifinal bout, while the 24-year-old Sanford overcame a slow start to defeat Brazil’s Yuri Falcao.
Despite the excitement of securing their tickets to Paris, both Thibeault and Sanford remain focused on the task at hand, with Thibeault stating, “I still have a fight tomorrow. Enjoy this for a little bit. Recover, rest and then get back on it tomorrow.”
The Canadian boxing team had a mixed day at the Pan Am Games, with four other athletes earning bronze medals as semifinal losers. While disappointed not to compete for gold, they expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage.
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