Abdumalik Khalokov wins featherweight gold
UZBEKISTAN’S Abdumalik Khalokov claimed gold in the men’s featherweight final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Khalokov won by unanimous decision over underdog Munarbek Seitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan.
After plenty of twisting and bending, Khalokov was ahead on all five scorecards after the first round. Seitbek Uulu tried to throw the left jab in that round and again in the second as the Kyrgyzstan fighter tried to apply pressure on the dynamic dancer.
The bout got messy at times and the referee had to admonish both men for holding and grappling offences. Quality Khalokov, 24, started showboating in round three as Seitbek Uulu turned southpaw to try and turn it around. The Uzbek earned a UD and his country’s fourth boxing gold medal of the games.
Lin Yu-ting wins Olympic gold at featherweight
Lin Yu-ting won a featherweight gold medal, defeating Poland’s Julia Szeremeta by unanimous decision.
It was a real clash of styles. Szeremeta’s hands down, confident swagger against Lin’s taller, upright, rangy stance. Lin was the significantly more experienced woman. Similar to Imane Khelif, who won gold last night, Lin Yu-ting has had to contend with a firestorm of issues.
Following a solid 5-0 opening round, Lin opened the second round behind her telephone pole left jab. Szeremeta searched desperately for a big equalising shot, but her chin was often in range for Lin’s scything inside shots. Those earned the Chinese Taipei fighter a second session sweep.
Szeremeta needed a stoppage as Lin came out southpaw in the third, bloodying Szeremeta’s nose. Lin floated home to take gold by complete shutout. Szeremeta’s silver marks the first-ever female boxing medal win for Poland.
