Canadian Boxing Powerhouses Tammara Thibeault and Wyatt Sanford Set to Compete at Paris 2024 Olympics
In a significant boost for Canada’s Olympic boxing prowess, Boxing Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have named Tammara Thibeault and Wyatt Sanford to the nation’s boxing team for the upcoming Paris Games. The official announcement came on Tuesday.
Thibeault, hailing from Shawinigan, Quebec, will compete in the women’s 75-kilogram division, marking her second consecutive Olympic appearance. Despite a quarterfinal finish at the Tokyo Games in 2021, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion and 2022 world champion remains determined to achieve greater success. “I haven’t quite accomplished what I want to yet at the Olympics,” Thibeault said. “With the pandemic, the preparations leading up to the Tokyo Olympics were below par, but I have another opportunity now.”
Joining Thibeault is Wyatt Sanford, who will represent Canada in the men’s 63.5kg competition. The Kennetcook, Nova Scotia native is set to make his second Olympic appearance after a first-round exit in Tokyo. Sanford’s impressive resume includes a gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games, a bronze from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and a round of 16 finish at the 2019 World Championships. “It’s me in the ring, but it’s for the whole community. Without my hometown, I wouldn’t be where I’m at and I always fight with them on my side,” Sanford expressed.
Thibeault and Sanford will be the only two boxers on the Canadian team in Paris after all nine Canadians competing in the Olympic qualification tournament in Bangkok earlier this year failed to secure additional spots. Boxing will take place from July 27 to August 10, with preliminary rounds at the North Paris Arena and the finals at the iconic Roland Garros Stadium.
Canada has a rich history in Olympic boxing, having won 17 medals to date. The most recent was David Defiagbon’s silver medal in the men’s heavyweight category from the Atlanta 1996 Games.
🔗 Source
