MADRID, 2 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish boxer Rafa Lozano Jr., son of the Spanish double Olympic medalist Rafa Lozano, has qualified this Sunday for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the -51 kg category at the Bangkok Pre-Olympic Games (Thailand).
The 19-year-old from Córdoba, nicknamed ‘Balín’, won by unanimous decision against the North Korean Chon Ryong So in the second World Qualifier for the Olympic event, held in the Thai capital. His father, the Spanish coach, was a direct witness from the corner of the ring.
In this way, Lozano becomes the fifth Spanish boxer to secure his place in Paris after Laura Fuertes, at -50 kg; José Quiles, at -57 kg; Oier Ibarretxe, at -63.5 kg and Enmanuel Reyes Pla, at -92 kg.
Although places in boxing are nominal for athletes, the National Olympic Committees (NOC) have exclusive authority over the representation of their respective countries in the Olympic Games, so the participation of each athlete in the Paris Games will depend on the selection of your NOC to represent your delegation at Paris 2024.
Rafa Lozano Sr., who participated in three editions of the Games, is the last Spaniard to win an Olympic medal in boxing, after winning a bronze in Atlanta 1996 and a silver in Sydney 2000.