It was a day of mixed results for team Ghana at the Dakar Arena in Senegal, with the team enduring a fair share of disappointments and smiles.
The biggest highlight of the day was the shock defeat of Bantamweight boxer, Abdul Wahib Omar, a former Olympian and two-time Commonwealth games bronze medalist.
Ghana’s Amateur Boxing team; Black Bombers (men) and Black Hitters (women) were engaged in a war for glory on day 3 of the Paris 2023 qualifiers.
Bombers gather some momentum
The bombers were eager to restore balance for team Ghana after a difficult start to the day. Anatu Mohammed was stopped by Mnguni of South Africa, who accrued a score of 5-0 points over the Ghanaian in the Women’s feather weight (57kg). The loss heaped a lot more pressure and duty on the Bombers.
Black bomber Joseph, “the junior Jaguar” Commey, who was already a huge force at the Dakar Arena after a flawless performance on day 2 went on to record a victory for the Ghanaian Side in his bout.
The 20-year old boxer, who holds a reputation as a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth games, was unstoppable in the men’s light welterweight (63.5kg) division and showed more than enough to impress the judges and overpower Brice Romaric (Burundi) by unanimous 5-0 WP victory. His performance set the tone for Ghana’s sequence of victories on the day.
Commey’s confidence was unmatched, with the Ghanaian boxer becoming increasingly popular in Dakar for his pre-bout videos that went viral prior to his fights. ‘The Jaguar’, as he is called, had successfully backed all of his talk with action and results.
In the Men’s Heavyweight (92kg), Jonathan Tetteh showed resilience and grit to defeat Ada Mike Mansogo and advance to the last 8.
But the Bombers were willing to give more. Theophilis Kpakpo Allotey starred in the men’s Flyweight (51kg) and was no match for his South African South opponent, Sinovuyo Mtintelwa as he scored a decent 5-0 WP to advance to the quarter-finals.
The bombers could have given even more but struggled to cap the day with a fourth successive win.
2016 Olympian and 2-time bronze medalist at the Commonwealth games games, Abdul Wahib Omar was at the wrong end of the judges’ scorecard. Omar failed to mount another successful Olympic bid after recording a 5-0 loss via winner points to Nigerian boxer, Joshua Dalapo Omole in the Men’s Heavyweight 91kg
Coach Ofori Asare and Team Ghana will be focused on preparing the remaining four boxers and keeping them in shape, in order to make the cut for Paris 2024.
Black Hitter and Ghanaian U.S based boxer, Dr. Ornelia Sathoud is the last standing female boxer, following the exit of Sarah Apew, Janet Acquah, Ramatu Quaye, and Anatu Mohammed. Ornelia was joined in camp by her US trainer Jerrick Jones, who has joined team Ghana as supporting trainer.
