Wuttichai sails through but Chatchai crashes out
Asian champion Wuttichai Masuk moved a step closer to a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics by marching into the semi-finals of the Aiba World Boxing Championships in Doha yesterday.
In the quarter-finals of the 64kg division, Wuttichai, also the reigning Asian Games champion, beat Rosa Zorrilla of Puerto Rico 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.
Wuttichai is the only Thai left in the biennial tournament after compatriot Chatchai Butdee, also an Asian champion, crashed out in yesterday’s quarter-finals.
The Thai faces Fazliddin Gaibnazarov of Uzbekistan in the semifinals today.
Gaibnazarov upset third seed Vincenzo Mangiacapre of Italy 2-1 (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) yesterday.
If the Thai wins today’s bout, he will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games next year.
Second seed Wuttichai had beaten his semi-final opponent in the Asian Championship title showdown last month.
The top three fighters in this division earn tickets to Rio.
Chatchai lost to Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev in a rematch of the Asian Championship final in Thailand last month.
The three judges scored 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 in favour of Akhmadaliev.
Chatchai found it hard to handle Akhmadaliev’s pace and might, and tried to respond with jabs and body punches, which were often blocked by his rival.
It was sweet revenge f or the 20-year-old Uzbek who is now only one win away from getting a place at the 2016 Olympics.
Chatchai has to wait for two more qualifying tournaments in Azerbaijan and China next year.
Thailand’s technical chief Somchai Poonsawadi said he remained confident that at least five Thais will qualify for the Rio Games.
“But they must improve for the next tournaments,” he said.