Paris Olympics: China, Panama boxers shadow each other on path to gold and place in history
- Li Qian and Atheyna Bylon will fight for the women’s 75kg title at Roland Garros on Sunday, with some remarkable resemblances between them
There are always stories about the sacrifices Olympic athletes have made to reach the pinnacle of their sport, and even given that, the resemblance between the two women fighting for boxing gold in the 75kg final at Roland Garros on Saturday is remarkable.
Both are three-time Olympians, and both, Li Qian of China and Panama’s Atheyna Bylon, are a win away from writing their names into the history books.
Two-time Olympic medallist Li is looking to take the highest step on the podium, after snatching middleweight bronze and silver in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, respectively.
A unanimous decision win over Australian Caitlin Parker on Thursday night came exactly three years after a heartbreaking loss in Japan by the same margin to Great Britain’s Lauren Price, and the Chinese veteran admitted reaching the final again had left her “emotional”.
“What happened in Tokyo was regretful, so I am charging towards the gold medal this time for sure,” Li said. “It’s not going to be easy [in the final] but I’ll do the best I can. It’s better not to overthink too much, just study the footage and lay out the strategies.”
The two-time Asian champion and reigning Asian Games gold medallist also believed she was doing a better job in the French capital than she did at the last Games.
