Amman, Jordan, March 5, 2020: Jordanian boxers Odai Al-Hindawi and Obada Al Kesbeh stole the show on the third day of the Asia/Oceania Tokyo 2020 boxing qualifiers in Amman on Thursday.
The Jordanian pair recorded superb victories to reach their quarterfinals and are one step way from booking a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.
A total of 41 Olympic spots across eight weight divisions are up for grabs in the men’s events while the women will battle for 22 spots in five weight classes in the competition which ends on March 11.
Odai Al-Hindawi stunned fourth seed Jolando Taala of American Samoa in the 81kg men’s category. The home favourite at the Prince Hamzah Hall fought three brilliant rounds to seal a unanimous decision and book a place in the last eight where he will face Jakkapong Yomkhot of Thailand on Sunday.
“I followed the advice of my coach throughout but I felt I wasn’t at my best today. I was about 75 per cent so I can’t wait for Sunday to show what I am capable of,” Al-Hindawi said.
“The next fight is life or death, as victory means the Olympic Games and a dream come true. I encourage all of Jordan to come down on Sunday to support me. I will do this for you,” he added.
Al Kesbeh, a 2016 Olympian, started sluggishly and lost the first round in the 63kg against Japanese southpaw Daisuke Narimatsu but a late knock down in the second round turned the tide as he unleashed an aggressive last round to clinch a split decision from the five judges.
“Nothing was going to stop me in there. I felt I had all of Jordan behind me in the ring. The crowd was fantastic. He was a strong opponent but I felt stronger as the fight went on and was landing more punches,” Al Kesbeh said.
Next up is top seed and Tajikistan’s Asian champion Bakhodur Usmonov, who dominated his fight against Nepal’s Shanil Shahi.
Al Kesbeh is looking forward to the quarterfinal bout on Monday. “He is a good fighter but to reach Tokyo you have to beat the best. I will not stop until I reach Tokyo and I will fight anyone in front of me to get there.”
In other bouts in the men’s 63kg class, Iran’s Ashkan Rezaei earned a split decision over South Korea’s Lee Jong-seung, while fourth seed Zakir Safiullin of Kazakhstan beat China’s Jun Shan.
In the 81kg men’s class, the top seed and reigning world champion Bekzad Nurdauletov of Kazakhstan overcame an impressive Jerome Pampellone of New Zealand to book his quarterfinal berth, while Shabbos Negmatulloev of Tajikistan also went through.
World number six and 75kg top seed, Filipino Eumir Marcial booked his last eight place with a win over Kirra Ruston of Australia. He will meet Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar of Mongolia in the battle to clinch an Olympic berth. The Mongolian fighter defeated Syria’s Ahmad Ghousoon.
Also reaching the last eight in this division were Indonesia’s Maikhel Muskita and Indian Ashish Kumar, who stunned fourth seed Omurbek Bekzhigit-Uulu of Kyrgyzstan.
