Ghana’s Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey remains the only Black Bomber still in contention at the Indoor Arena at the Huamark Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, after a significant victory today.

The African Olympic Qualifiers in Dakar bronze medalist, who also won bronze at the 13th African Games, hails from Coach Dr. Ofori Asare’s Wisdom Boxing Gym. Allotey is now the primary hope for Ghana and the Ghana Boxing Federation to secure a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Allotey secured his win with a 4-1 split decision against Anvarzhan Khadzhiev of Kyrgyzstan in the men’s flyweight (51kg) category, advancing to the Round of 16. He now needs two more victories to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Next up for Ghana is Ornella Sathoud in the women’s middleweight (75kg) category. She will face Aynur Rzayeva of Azerbaijan on June 1, 2024, needing two more wins to qualify.

The Black Bombers who have been eliminated from the Olympic qualifiers are Amadu Mohammed (featherweight, 57kg), Joseph Commey (featherweight, 63.5kg), Henry Malm (light middleweight, 71kg), Jonathan Tetteh (heavyweight, 92kg), and Mark Kojovi Ahondjo (super heavyweight, 92+kg).

Team leader Dauda Fuseni commended the Bombers, noting that other teams had greater motivation. He expressed gratitude to the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President and the Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Evans Bobie, for their support and inspiration in Bangkok.

“In fact, we have learned a lot. Others have advanced significantly, and we need to step up and take the game seriously,” Fuseni said in a telephone conversation.

Mr. Jojo Ephson, Communications Director of the GBF, remains optimistic that Ghana will qualify at least one or two boxers. “It has been a very tough route to Paris 2024, but we are on course. From Dakar, Senegal, to Italy, to Bangkok, Thailand, one or two will make it,” he assured.

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