PARIS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- With the North Paris Arena still in a period of mourning for the passing of Samoan boxing coach, Samoa's only fighter Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali made a brave appearance just 48 hours after the tragedy.
Despite losing on points to Belgian Victor Schelstraete, Plodzicki-Faoagali showed the true Olympic spirit by overcoming his deep adversity. The Pacific Games champion was tearful after the fight but made no excuses for his performance.
Writing on Instagram following the loss, Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote: "I have no excuses. I fought the good fight and I fought with a heavy heart. Thank you Jesus for your protection and thank you everyone for the support."
Earlier in the morning, China's 92kg male boxer Han Xuezhen was eliminated from the tournament on points against world number three Enmanuel Reyes Pla.
Elsewhere in the 92kg division, Cuba's two-time Olympic champion and favorite for another gold medal, Julio Cesar La Cruz, crashed out to Cuban-born Azerbaijani Loren Alfonso in an incredibly close fight. Also in the division, Italian Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine, the second-ranked and two-time European champion, lost in the opening round to Uzbekistan's medal hopeful Lazizbek Mullojonov 4-1.
The two shocking results leave Spain's Cuban-born Reyes Pla with an easier route to the final. The Spaniard had been on course to meet rival La Cruz in the semifinal.
In the afternoon, Kazakh Alsanbek Shymbergenov, the top ranked 71kg fighter, current light middleweight 2023 world championship gold medalist, and 2022 Asian champion, was shocked by Jordanian Zeyad Eashash. In another close bout, Shymbergenov struggled to control the fight and lost on three of the five judges' scorecards.
Also in the men's 71kg weight class, home favorite Makan Traore made easy work of Ireland's Aiden Walsh.
In the women's 51kg, one of the favorites for a medal, Zareen Nikhat, cruised past Germany's Maxi Carina Kloetzer.
