- Title: GUATEMALA: BOXING - continent wraps up its final list of Olympic boxing hopefuls
- Date: 3rd May 2008
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BOXER, FELIX MANUEL DIAZ, SAYING: "It's going to be a tough match but I hope to conquer a medal over there." BOXING MATCH BETWEEN US AND COLOMBIA
- Embargoed: 18th May 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Guatemala
- Country: Guatemala
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA2ZJHJV7ZTGA7QR308GEM2EDO9
- Story Text: The American continent has completed its full list of Olympic medal hopefuls after the qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Guatemala City on Wednesday (April 30).
The Dominican Republic, with four medals, secured four spots in Beijing. Colombia obtained three places and seven medals and Puerto Rico obtained two places and four medals.
Argentina, the United States, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, Ecuador as well as the hosts Guatemala, obtained one place each.
There were no Mexican qualifiers.
US boxer Shawn Estrada, who won a gold medal at this tournament in the 75 kg category and a place in China, told Reuters that he was excited about this opportunity.
"I felt everything just to be qualified and going to the Olympics with the full team of the US is fun. It just opened doors for me so I'm happy and proud and ready for Beijing," he said.
More than 120 athletes entered the tournament, which began last Friday, to win the last 23 places of the 60 allocated to the American continent for the Games.
The other 37 places were awarded for performances in previous tournaments.
Dominican Republic boxer Gilbert Castillo clinched his Olympic place by winning the 69 kg category.
"I've competed various times and this is the fifth time I have won, but I was more uncomfortable this time, because he led and thank God I was able to secure my victory."
Felix Manuel Diaz, another Dominican Republic boxer, will also be one of the lucky ones to compete in Beijing for a medal after winning the 64 kg category.
"It's going to be a tough match but I hope to win a medal over there."
As expected, Cuba and the United States did not shine at this tournament as most of their boxers had already booked their places in two previous qualifying tournaments held in Chicago and Trinidad and Tobago. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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