Coach Todd Eyes 4 Boxers for Paris Olympics
"It will be difficult, because it is open to all countries in the world but we are going to prepare our team the best we can and it will be good experience for the team as well.
Friday 29 December 2023 | 14:38
Aminiasi Saratibau (right) during a training session with coach Cam Todd at the Commander Stan Brown boxing gym, Walu Bay on December 28, 2023. Saratibau is one of the four boxers on Todd's list for the Olympic qualifier. Photos: Kelera Sovasiga- Tuisawau
Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) head coach Cam Todd plans to take four boxers to the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier in May.
The Kiwi national, who is an International Boxing Association (IBA) level three coach, recently guided the Team Fiji of six boxers to one gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands last month.
Todd indicated that there are two Olympic qualifier events in Italy and Thailand respectively which is open to all countries.
The boxers on his list are Aminiasi Saratibau, Jone Davule, Elia Rokobuli and Nehal Chand. Saratibau and Rokobuli fell short during their qualifying event at the Pacific Games.
"There is one event at the end of February; early March that's in Italy; we probably won't go to that one," Todd said.
"It is expensive to travel; we hope to get funding for the one in May which is in Thailand.
"For a boxer to qualify for the Olympics he has to qualify for the semi-finals - so the top four will make it.
Coach Cam Todd
"It will be difficult, because it is open to all countries in the world but we are going to prepare our team the best we can and it will be good experience for the team as well.
"We are looking at four of the Olympic weights, at this stage," Todd added.
They will seek funding from the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for the qualifying events.
"We're hoping given our good performance at the Pacific Games they help boxing a little bit more.
"If FNSC can give us funding for both events that will be even better but, at least to one of them will be of huge assistance."
The Paris 2024 will have seven weight classes for men and six for women.
Men's weight classes: 51kg, 57kg, 63.5kg, 71kg, 80kg, 92kg, +92kg
Women's weight classes: 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg, 75kg.
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