Jerry Okorodudu, one of the handlers of the National Boxing Team, has expressed satisfaction at the country’s performance so far at the ongoing 2016 Olympic Games’ qualifier in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Okorodudu, an Olympian, who did not make the team to Cameroon, said in Lagos that in spite of poor preparations ahead of the qualifier, he was still hopeful that the team would still secure tickets to the Games.
He noted that preparations prior to the qualifier was not tasking enough.
“It was the same old routine approach to preparations that they adopted in preparing for the qualifier. It is sad, even though they are still able a formidable team.
“The young boxers representing us in Cameroon are good enough to do us proud. They did well at the last African Games held in Brazzaville, Congo by winning four gold and four silver medals.”
No fewer than 10 boxers are currently representing the country at the qualifiers that holding March 11 and March 19 in Cameroon.
Korede Adeniyi crashed out in the preliminaries while the duo of Efetobor Apochi and Kehinde Obareh crashed out in the quarterfinals stages.
Apochi, a silver medalist in last year’s African Games, lost 0-3 to St Pierre Joseph Kennedy from Mauritius.
The judges had scored the fight, 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 in favour of Kennedy, the Mauritian, who progressed into the semifinals.
Obareh, the only female and gold medalist in at the Games, had also lost on points – 0-3, at the quarterfinals to Moroccan, Lachgar Hasnaa.
The judges scored the bout 36-38, 35-39 and 36-38 in favour of Hasnaa, who also advanced to the semis.
