RIF: 05

AIBA Press Release
Africa - 21 Olympic spots confirmed
Asia – Fourth day of prelims completed


1st AIBA African Olympic Qualifying Tournament page
28/01 (Day Six) Results
1st AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament page 
28/01 (Day Four) Results
29/01 (Day Five) Schedule

January 28, 2008 - A total of 21 boxers from eight countries have confirmed their places at the 2008 Olympic Games in China following the completion of the semifinal bouts at the 1st AIBA African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Algiers , Algeria on Monday.

Following Sunday's initial semifinals where 11 boxers booked their tickets, 10 more joined them on the plane following a blue-ribbon day for Morocco who had qualified four boxers in addition to one on Sunday.

Pic: Action from the 1st Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok , Thailand

With the finalists in the 51kg, 57kg, 64kg, 75kg and 91kg divisions all booking a ticket to Beijing, Morocco made it four from four with Abdelillah Nhaila, Mahdi Ouatine, 2006 Junior World Championship bronze medallist Driss Moussaid and Mohamed Arjaoui all successful in the 51kg, 57kg, 64kg and 91kg classes respectively.

Moussaid's 22:21 win over Hastings Bawalya was the bout of the day, just clinching victory on the final bell.

African Olympic Qualifiers
Total Boxers: 21
Total Countries: 8
Algeria : 6 boxers
Morocco : 5
Tunisia : 4
Egypt : 2
Ghana , Kenya , Namibia , Cameroon : 1

Tuesday's seven bronze medal bouts will offer 14 more boxers another opportunity to qualify for Beijing before Friday's +91kg class offers the final ticket at this event.

Meanwhile, the 1st AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament completed its fourth day of preliminary round action in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday with three countries remaining unbeaten - hosts Thailand (five wins), China (four) and Kuwait (one).

The preliminary round continues until Wednesday before Friday's semifinals, which will put the first qualifying spots on offer.