Baison, Weerapon off to Paris
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Baison, Weerapon off to Paris

Thai boxer Baison Maneekon celebrates after securing a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Thai boxer Baison Maneekon celebrates after securing a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Baison Maneekon, Thailand's 75kg powerhouse, made history by qualifying for the Olympic Games for the second time.

Baison secured Thailand's eighth Olympic berth with a spectacular 4-1 victory over Italian boxer Melissa Gemini in the 2nd Boxing Road to Paris World Qualifying Tournament at Indoor Stadium Hua Mark on Sunday.

She also received a 550,000-baht cash bonus for her impressive performance in the quarter-finals.

Baison said: "Before the fight, I felt really excited because it was the last fight and I didn't know if I would qualify for the Olympic Games or not.

"I am feeling really relieved now.

"I did quite well and will now focus on the Olympics. I believe that I'll win a medal at Paris Games, but there the opponents will be much stronger."

Earlier on Saturday, Weerapon Jongjohor won Thailand's seventh ticket to Paris with a 5-0 victory in the men's 80kg division.

Weerapon, a nephew of Thai Olympic gold medallist Somjit Jongjohor, defeated Hussein Iashaish of Jordan 5-0 in the men's 80kg division.

Every shot from Weerapon was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd, and he did not disappoint his fans.

The Thai boxer won the all the five rounds on points in his semi-final bout against Iashaish.

It will be Weerapon's Olympic debut.

Weerapon said: "I am very happy to have claimed a place in the Olympic Games. However, I need to be better than this, so I will try to improve myself."

Nilawan Techasuep saw her Olympic dream end on Sunday night when she was completely outclassed by Turkish fighter Esra Yildiz in the women's 57kg quarter-finals.

Nilawan lost all five rounds on points to her Turkish opponent.

Six Thai boxers have already secured their berths at Paris 2024 prior to the Bangkok event, which was the last boxing qualification tournament for the Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to Aug 11.

The six boxers are (men) Thitisan Panmot (51kg), Bunjong Sinsiri (63.5kg); (women) Chuthamat Raksat (50kg), Thananya Somnuek (60kg), Janjaem Suwannapheng (66kg), Jutamas Jitpong (54kg).

A total of 51 quotas -- 23 females and 28 males -- were on the line at the world qualifier in Bangkok.

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