�Can smiles and raised arms predict the future? Maybe yes. One of those great displays of excessive joy was that of Ayoub Ghadfa at the inauguration ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games while crossing the Seine. The Spanish representative at +92 kilograms did not hide his emotion at any time. It was his, but it is also that of his sport: boxing. It’s time to hit, never better said, on the table. Medals are a dream, yes. But also a goal.
24 years are too many for national Olympic boxing without ‘tasting’ metal. The genius of Rafael ‘Bala’ Lozano in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 in the light flyweight brought success, but they are far away. In Tokyo 2020 (21) it was touched. A more than controversial decision with Gabriel Escobar and that even battle between Enmanuel Reyes Pla and Julio César La Cruz, which the Cuban won was not without controversy. By the decision of the not always partial jury and for the attitude of the Camag�ey fighter with his “homeland or grave” towards Spanish.
It was within reach, and in Paris 2024 it could be the real step. “It’s time. It’s time to take another step in history. Leave the Sydney medal behind and continue with the current results. Everyone has opportunity and options. His moment is good and I think we are going to take home one or two medals,” Lozano defends precisely to MARCA hours before his pupils’ first fight. Passes the podium Conference and Exhibition Center from the Australian city to the management of the national Olympic team.
A beneficial giveaway
We can think of one or two medals
exist many reasons for excitement. One of them is a draw that smiled, especially, to Reyes Pla and Rafa ‘Balita’ Lozano Jr -son of ‘Bala’. “It was very good, and that’s what it is in this sport. He can touch you or not. Three will have a way against Kazakh boxers, which is, along with Uzbekistan, the world power. We will always fight,” defends the coach.
Reyes Pla (92 kilograms) had his path ‘cleared’, Well, he would not meet La Cruz until a hypothetical semifinal (there would already be a sure medal) and he would only meet his nemesis in the final, the Italian Mouhiidine. The first two duels shouldn’t have much history. “He is at a high point in his career. After Tokyo he suffered a decline, but a year ago he started to push and he is getting better. He wins almost all his fights, with the best physical, mental and technical-tactical moment. The path, in addition, is positive to get a medal,” highlights Lozano.
The man from Córdoba will also act as father and selector when his son (51 kilograms) steps on the canvas. He is the other big name after the pairings, since he does not play in the first round and will face Chiotia (Australia) and Huseynov (Azerbaijan) on the way to the box. Nothing is taken for granted, but he starts with guarantees against two fighters with whom he should have some favoritism. And his confidence continues to rise. “He is very happy, excited and full of desire. He wants to bring a medal to Spain because of his desire to compete, box and show his strength,” explains his father, the one who best knows how such a goal is achieved.
In the fight
It doesn’t stay there the very complete ‘roster’ of the national team. José Quiles (57 kilograms), which perhaps showed more guarantees of the cycle, will have a battle very tough when crossing paths with Sabyrkhan and Khalokov, two regulars on the podium in major championships. If it emerges unscathed, the options multiply for everything. Of course, they will be wars with specialists in the Olympic field.
Something similar will happen with Ghadfa, who only has to win two fights, but one should be against Kunkabayev, bronze in Tokyo 2020. Of course, it comes from a tremendous cycle. “He was European champion a few months ago, he easily won the fights to qualify and sportingly he has a lot going on. He can beat anyone, even if he faces a power like Kazakhstan,” analyzes Lozano.
Another hope passes through Laura Fuertes (50 kilograms), the only female representative. His debut with the Mexican Herrera could be perfect because he will wait at the next crossing for the Olympic and world medalist Cakiroglu. Filming before the fight. “I already boxed with her in Turkey, in the semifinals, and the fight was very even. For me it didn’t lose. With slightly biased judges he can beat him and he can be among the best. He is having a good time and, honestly, he must go through the first fights because they are strange between the responsibility and the moment he is living. But she is calm and we must take advantage of the moment,” says the coach.
Of the box� [Laura Fuertes] with her [Cakiroglu] in Turkey, in the semifinals, and the fight was very even. For me he didn’t lose. With slightly biased judges he can beat him and he can be among the best
Before everyone else, the first one will leave for battle. Oier Ibarretxe (63.5 kilograms), the big surprise among those classified after his enormous Pre-Olympic. Of course, in the pavilion attached to Charles de Gaulle Airport will experience a tortuous beginning. Mukhammedsabyr, from Kazakhstan, appears as the first rival. There I will begin to dream of Spanish boxing. Sydney’s wall can fall by right hand.
