Julia Szeremeta advanced to the semi-finals of the 57 kg boxing category. She thus secured at least a bronze medal at the Paris Games. Elżbieta Wójcik failed to advance to the semi-finals of the 75 kg boxing category.
In the photo: Julia Szeremeta celebrates her victory in the duel (1/8 final) in the 57 kg category against Australian Tina Rahimi /Adam Warżawa /PAP
Julia Szeremeta defeated Puerto Rican boxer Ashleyann Lozada Motta in the quarterfinals of the 57-kilogram category.
The 21-year-old Pole dominated from the start. She moved nimbly in the ring with her hands low and delivered precise blows.
The judges had no doubts about who was better. The final score was 5-0 (30:27, 30:27, 30:27, 30:27, 29:28).
In the round of 16, Szeremeta defeated Venezuelan Omailyn Alcala 4-1, and in the round of 16 she defeated Australian Tina Rahimi 5-0.
In boxing, there are no fights for bronze. It is awarded to two competitors. So, advancing to the semi-finals means that the Pole will definitely leave Paris with a medal.
This will be the first Olympic medal for Polish boxing since 1992, when Wojciech Bartnik won bronze in Barcelona.
The Pole will face Filipina Nesthy Petecio in the semifinals on Wednesday. This experienced, 32-year-old boxer has won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.
Julia Szeremeta, after advancing to the semi-finals, admitted that she won “with a dance step”. I focused on speed, because it is my greatest asset. Speed and fun – she said.
She added that she “feels great and is going for gold” and that she had announced a medal and “that’s what she did”. I’m not stopping, I want gold. There was full control in the fight. I had a great time, a great atmosphere in the stands. There were a lot of fans from Poland, so I was very happy. The ring is my world and I have a great time there – she noted.
The semi-finals and finals in boxing will take place at the Roland Garros tennis stadium. I go there the same way as here, maybe with an even better crowd, but here I kept hearing: Poland, Poland, Poland. I can’t wait for the next fight – added the 20-year-old.
Elżbieta Wójcik did not advance to the semi-finals of the Paris Games in the 75 kg boxing category. In today’s quarter-final she lost on points to the representative of Panama, Atheyna Bylon – 2:3 (28:29, 28:29, 29:28, 30:27, 28:29).
According to the judges, the Pole was unanimously better in the first round. In the second, four of the five judges scored Bylon the winner, and in the third, three judges decided that the Panamanian boxer was better.
Iga Świątek with bronze. She received the medal