Sunday, october 22nd, 2023.- Colombia and Argentina were the standout performers in morning boxing matches on Sunday at the Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico. They remained undefeated after five matches in both the female and male divisions.

The Caribbean delegation celebrated victories from Yeni Arias, Angie Valdés, and Jhonatan Arboleda. Arias defeated the American Yoseline Pérez with a score of 4-1 in the 54kg category. Valdés won a unanimous 5-0 decision against Trinidad's Tianna Guy (60kg), and Arboleda also secured a unanimous victory over the Dominican Jhonny Fernández (71kg).

Following her victory, Arias commented, "My biggest difficulty is my lack of self-confidence, but I have a team that always motivates me in my corner. That's my advantage. I felt good with the support of the crowd, which is something I really didn't expect. My son is celebrating his birthday today, and this victory is for him."

Valdés said, "My opponent (Guy) was very good, with a lot of technique. I'm optimistic about the next fight. I need to throw more punches and combinations. The goal is to go for gold in these games."

Among the Argentinian fighters who celebrated were Victoria Saputo and Luciano Amaya. Saputo won by a unanimous decision (5-0) against the Dominican Jessica Múñoz in the 60kg category. Amaya defeated the Dominican Joshua Toussaint with a second-round KO in the 63.5kg category.

The 2018 Youth Olympic champion stated, "We are in a foreign country, and I felt at home. I was nervous because they told me I had lost the first round, so I went all out afterward. Luckily, I was able to secure the victory and advance to the quarterfinals. I need one more win to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. I have to give it my all."

Amaya, on the other hand, expressed his confidence after the knockout."I came here after so many months of training. I didn't expect so much support from the people. It makes me happy. I just want to win and take home the gold. I have confidence in my abilities," he emphasized.

In other morning matches, in the 63.5kg category, the Canadian Wyatt Sanford defeated the Cuban Lázaro Álvarez. The Salvadoran Samuel Contreras beat the Antiguan Alston Ryan, and the Brazilian Yuri Falcao defeated the Grenadian Tyshawn Jones. In the 71kg category, the Mexican Marco Verde triumphed over the Cuban Jorge Cuellar, the American Omari Jones won against the Puerto Rican Gabriel Llanos, and the Venezuelan Christiann Palacio defeated the Haitian Jackson Darrius.

Written by Patricio Echague; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Andres Pina / Photosport