FOUR Guyanese pugilists will go into action from today in the Olympics second Qualifier in Bangkok Thailand, with the hope of qualifying for the Paris Olympics which is scheduled to commence on July 24.

Desmond Amsterdam (80kg) Keevin Allicock (57kg) Joel Williamson (63.5kg) and Emmanuel Pompey (92kg) are hoping to qualify for Paris 2024 while at the same time win medals.
Allicock is the only member of the group who has attended a previous Olympics: having fought at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The boxers are being accompanied by Coach Lennox Daniel. Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle who is also the President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) explained that it is important for them to qualify for the Olympics.

“Securing a place at the Olympics is one dream most athletes have…the other is to win medals at the games.

In recent times we have seen that the IBA World Championship has pushed its way into becoming another dream for boxers, as the monetary benefits associated with winning Medals there are huge and potentially life- changing” stated Ninvalle. “Guyana and CARICOM only have one Olympic boxing medal.

So, these qualifiers are immensely important, not only to our Dear Land, but also for the region, as it allows us a chance to emulate Mike Parris’ 1980 bronze medal, or better it” continued the DoS.

The GBA top man informed that he was satisfied with the quartet’s preparation and overall training sessions.
“Yes! I am satisfied. The team was sent to Ecuador for two weeks of high-altitude training.

Reports emanating from the training camp placed the team in high spirits and prepared for the task at hand, disclosed the DoS.
“We have asked that they remain focused despite obvious distractions and give their best. They are all very talented and have the ability to qualify” The DoS concluded.