MASERU – The national boxing champion, Moroke Mokhotho's dream of fighting in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games came to an end on February 24 after he lost to Mulenga Evaristo of Zambia in the All African Boxing tournament staged in Dakar, Senegal.
sports
Feb. 27, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Moroke’s Olympic dreams shattered
Mokhotho fought tooth and nail in his first match and defeated Mhandi Bilel of Tunisia in the flyweight preliminaries bout by a split decision. The national champion then booked himself a spot in the second preliminaries but lost to Mulenga in the men's featherweight division (52-57Kg).
Mokhotho was disappointed, emotionally broken and stressed over the loss. He has however, accepted his loss and therefore pledged his support to his team-mates in their oncoming fights. The national coach, Thabiso Nketu is also disenchanted by Mokhotho's loss though he is not blaming his charges for losing at any stage as he feels they were not completely prepared for the games.
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He said the boxers were not able to attend training sessions ahead of the games because they lived too far from the training camp and no one was responsible for transporting them to gym.
He, however, expressed his confidence in the boxers who qualified for the quarter finals, saying he is confident they will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Mohlerepe Qhobosheane is set to face his Moroccan opponent, Nadir Abdelhaq in the men's light weight quarter-finals (57-63Kg). Moshoeshoe Mokhachane will fight Ghanaian boxer, Lartey Jessie in men's welter quarterfinals (63-69Kg) while Arena Pakela will fight Tshama Mwenekabwe in the men's middle quarter-finals (69-75kg).
The trio's boxing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games destination will be decided on Thursday as they will be fighting to book a spot in the semifinals in the ongoing games. Tlholohelo Mokhesi was the first to fall on the first day followed by Mokhotho.
LeNA
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