Tokyo Olympics: Sena Irie wins maiden women's boxing gold for Japan
Japan's Sena Irie upset reigning world champion Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines to take Olympic gold in the women's featherweight boxing on Tuesday, delivering the host nation's first gold ever in women's boxing.
Published : Aug 03, 2021 10:37 IST
Sena Irie became the first Japanese woman to win Olympic boxing gold on Tuesday, defeating Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines on unanimous points to take the featherweight title in Tokyo.
It was disappointment for Petecio, who had been looking to earn the Philippines' first Olympic gold in the country's proud boxing history.
Judges' scorecards -- which are now displayed after each round to make Olympic boxing more transparent -- unanimously had the 20-year-old Irie ahead after round one.
Both boxers were letting their fists go in a lively and open contest at Kokugikan Arena, which is usually used for Japan's national sport, sumo.
The 29-year-old Petecio, the 2019 world champion, had the better of the second round.
The third was also highly competitive, but Irie got the nod from the judges, putting her hand over her mouth and crying.
Meanwhile, Cuba's Roniel Iglesias took gold for his third Olympic medal on Tuesday, beating Britain's Pat McCormack in the men's boxing welterweight final on Tuesday.
McCormack took silver after losing to Iglesias by a unanimous decision. Ireland's Aidan Walsh and Andrei Zamkovoi of the Russian Olympic Committee were awarded bronze.
In the men's featherweight semifinals, USA's Duke Ragan beat Ghana's Samuel Takyi 4-1 to set up the summit clash with ROC's Albert Batyrgaziev who beat Cuba's Lazaro Alvarez 3-2.
ROC's Muslim Gadzhimagomedov easily beat New Zealand's David Nyika 4-1 in the men's heavyweight semifinal. Gadzhimagomedov will face Cuba's Julio la Cruz, who defeated Brazil's Abner Teixeira 4-1 in the other semifinal, for the gold medal.