Wednesday, October 25, 2023.- The Pan American boxing card, in the Wednesday afternoon session held at the Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico (CEO), started with a victory by Colombian Valeria Arboleda, in the 57-kilogram category, over Chilean Tamara Maturana, thus earning a ticket to the 2024 Paris Games.

The second bout featured one of the most anticipated fights of the evening between Omailyn Alcalá of Venezuela and Legnis Cala of Cuba. Both were participating in their first Pan American Games, and the Venezuelan narrowly secured her place in Paris 2024. Santiago 2023 marked the debut of the Cuban female's team.

The other two fights with Olympic spots at stake were won by Puerto Rican Ashleyann Lozada, who defeated Canadian Marie-Bathoul Al Ahmadieh, and Brazilian Jucielen Cerqueira, who overcame Peruvian Daisy Bamberger.

In the male's 63.5-kilogram category, Brazilian Yuri Falcao won against Salvadoran Samuel Contreras, securing the twelfth semifinal spot for the Brazilians in Santiago 2023.

Brazilian coach Mateus Alves commented, "It's a great achievement to have 12 boxers in the final stages, and it's the result of many years of work that has paid off at the Olympic, Pan American, and world levels."

Also advancing were Canadian Wyatt Sanford, who defeated Argentine Matías Amaya; Dominican Alexy de la Cruz, who eliminated American Emilio Esteban García; and Miguel Ángel Martínez from Mexico, who beat Colombia's José Manuel Viáfora.

On Thursday, in the same sports venue, starting at 11:00 AM local time, all the Pan American boxing semifinals will be contested.

Esteban Gómez y Pedro isaac Marín, translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 via Photosport
Photo: Cristian Soto / Santiago 2023 via Photosport