Boxing Canada nominates its team for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires
Montreal â August 16th, 2018. On Thursday, Boxing Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) nominated Tethluach Chuol as the sole Canadian athlete to represent Team Canada in Olympic-style boxing at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games from October 6 to 18.
As such, Tethluach Chuol (Edmonton, AB) becomes the first ever Canadian boxer to participate in this prestigious competition. He will participate in the 91+ kg weight category after winning a silver medal at the 2018 AMBC Youth Continental Championships earlier this year. National Team Coach João Carlos Barros will complete the boxing team as head coach for the competition.
âI am extremely proud and honoured to have the opportunity to represent Team Canada at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games,â affirms Tethluach Chuol. âIt feels surreal! Itâs a big milestone towards my dream of being an Olympic gold medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games.â
In order to qualify for Buenos Aires 2018, boxers had to win gold in their respective category at the 2018 Youth American Boxing Championships, which took place May 21 â 26 in Colorado Springs, USA. Each country was allowed to select a maximum of three men and/or two women, after which the quota place is reallocated to the next best-ranked athlete. Although no Canadian boxers were able to climb on the highest step of the podium, it is through the reallocation of an unused quota in the 91+ Kg weight category that Tethluach Chuol was granted a spot on the Youth Canadian team.
âWe are very proud to have qualified a Canadian athlete for the Youth Olympic Games,â states Pat Fiacco, Boxing Canadaâs President. âIt will be an extraordinary experience for Tethluach where he will have the opportunity to compete against the best Youth boxers in the world.â
With the qualification process done, the Edmonton-based boxer will now focus on his preparation. Moreover, his upcoming participation at the Youth World Championships, taking place August 21-31 in Budapest, will enable him to gain valuable experience on the world stage prior to Buenos Aires 2018.
Boxing is a thrilling sport to watch as it is a well-rounded discipline that combines, strength, speed, technical and tactical elements. The Olympic boxing competition will take place at Youth Olympic Park – PabellĂłn Oceania from October 14 to 18, with a total of 82 boxers in 13 events (nine for men and four for women).
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the COCâs Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations.