Tokyo 2021 slelection
Flissi Mohammed of Algeria, Chinyemba Patrick of Zambia and Sulemanu Tetteh of Ghana have already been allocated and confirmed and this places Otukile on number one position in the continental rankings. Since the five available slots for the 52 kg weight division will be shared equally by the four continents of Africa, Asia/ Oceania, Europe and America it seems like the African spot is for
Otukile although the Botswana Boxing Association ( BoBA) will await the official confirmation.
“When you look at the top four ranked boxers in the 52kg three have already qualified. It’s only Rajab who is yet to qualify so we will just be waiting for the confirmation letter from the IOC,” BOBA spokesperson, Taolo Tlouetsile explained. He further said despite cancellation of the qualifiers they will keep the team in camp to maintain fitness. “In addition, there are many upcoming tournaments such as Commonwealth Games, Africa Boxing Championships and this is the team we can build around going into the future,” However, from the women’s side Botswana’s chances are very slim in the 60kg division where Aratwa Kasemang competes.
Kasemang currently holds the 7th spot in the continental rankings, a mountain to climb for her.
For George Molwantwa and Tshepang Kapinga who fights in the 57 and 69kg men’s weight divisions, there is no hope since they don’t appear in the rankings. In the rankings there are Mmusi Tswiige, Pitso Mmopiemang who have long been dropped from the national team following the African qualifiers last year.