Boxing

Vietnamese boxer Nguyễn Thị Tâm qualifies for the quarter-finals of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 in India. — Photo of IBA

HÀ NỘI — In an impressive display of athleticism and skill, Nguyễn Thị Tâm of Việt Nam has advanced to the quarter-finals of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 in India.

Tâm beat Modukanele Lethabo Bokam of Botswana 5-0 in the women's light fly weight category, utilising her height and reach advantage to stay out of range while landing heavy rear hooks when the opportunity presented itself.

Tâm has already made a statement at the world championships, beating two-time world champion Kyzaibay Nazym of Kazakhstan 5-0 in the previous round.

In the quarter-finals, the Asian champion will face Laura Fuertes Fernandez of Spain, who won 4-1 over Mathialagan Danisha of Singapore in the other match.

Fernandez's best result was No 9 in Europe in 2022.

Tâm, 28, is currently the best female boxer of Việt Nam in her 48-50kg class and is also No 1 in the Boxrec ranking.

She has won many local titles, and her best international results are two Asian championship golds in 2017 and 2022.

Tâm is the last Vietnamese boxer left at the tournament after her eight teammates were beaten.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hảo lost to Italian Irma Testa in the last 16 of the women's feather 54-57kg category, while Nguyễn Thị Hồi (48kg), Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Trân (52kg), Võ Thị Kim Ánh (54kg), Hà Thị Linh (66kg), Lưu Diễm Quỳnh (75kg), Nguyễn Thị Hương (81kg) and Nguyễn Thị Phương Hoài (over 81kg) were eliminated from the first rounds.

Việt Nam's best result at the world championships so far was a bronze medal by Nguyễn Thị Hương at the 2019 championship in Russia.

At the same tournament, Tâm was denied bronze after a controversial decision.

The March 15-26 tournament features more than 350 boxers, a record number, from more than 70 countries, with a lucrative prize fund of US$2.4 million.

The winning boxers will walk away with $100,000.

The world championships are not a qualification event for the Paris Olympics 2024, as declared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IBA, however, has still declared itself as a main qualification event. — VNS