Team GB boxer Delicious Orie expressed his dismay after a split decision loss to Armenia’s Davit Chaloyan, feeling that Olympic gold has been “taken away” from him.
The bout in the men’s super-heavyweight category began cautiously, as Chaloyan delivered strong hooks. However, Orie gradually found his rhythm, delivering precise jabs and asserting control in the first round. The second round showcased a competitive exchange, with Chaloyan putting forth a stronger performance, yet Orie continued to secure effective hits. In the final round, Orie unleashed impressive punches, including a notable right hook.
Despite a valiant effort, Orie’s Olympic journey ended with a 3-2 loss on points, marking a disappointing start for Great Britain as they exited all four of their initial bouts, with only two boxers remaining in the competition.
“I can’t believe it,” Orie stated. “I’m absolutely gutted. For the past eight years, I’ve dreamt about that Olympic gold medal, and it’s been taken away from me. It could be me, it could be the judges, but at the end of the day, that’s what’s happened. I feel like I’ve let myself down and my family.”
Debate Over Orie’s Performance
Orie’s exit adds to a string of contentious outcomes for British boxers, following earlier losses for Rosie Eccles and Charley Davison by similar margins. “I’m not a judge, so I can’t really tell you which way it went,” Orie acknowledged. “It’s too soon for me to start saying it’s unfair or fair, whatever it is. I do think I was a little bit hard done by; it was very close, and I felt like I just did enough.”
Eccles and Davison’s Unfortunate Fates
Rosie Eccles confronted a heart-wrenching defeat on Sunday against Poland’s Aneta Rygielska, which left her in tears. She voiced her shock at the 3-2 split decision that elicits feelings of devastation. “I knew I had won the fight, so I am really, really shocked. It feels like I am in a dream right now, but not a great one,” she stated.
Charley Davison also faced disappointment on the opening day, losing to former world champion Hatice Akbas. “I made a slow start and picked up towards the end, but it was not enough. What more could I do?” she expressed.
Currently, only two athletes from Team GB remain in the Olympic boxing tournament. Middleweight Chantelle Reid is set to face Morocco’s Khadija Mardi, the 2023 world champion, while light-middleweight Lewis Richardson will take on Serbia’s Vakhid Abbasov in the last-16 later this evening.
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