Eight years after his first gold medal, Hasanboy Dusmatov adds a second Olympic gold in as many weight classes.
The Uzbek boxer became the latest boxer to win at least two golds on Thursday, defeating France’s Billal Bennama by a 5-0 decision to win the 51 kilogram men’s gold medal at Roland Garros in Paris, France. One judge gave all three rounds to the 31-year-old southpaw Dusmatov, 30-27, while the other four had it 29-28 for Dusmatov.
Bennama, perhaps still leery from his 64-second knockout loss tom Dusmatov 15 months ago, was cautious in the opening round, attempting to box and flurry against the much smaller Dusmatov. Dusmatov made his first big impression in the bout near the end of the first, rocking Bennama with an overhand left that sent him into the ropes.
Dusmatov picked up his aggression another level in the second, as he looped overhand lefts on to the taller opponent that kept Bennama on the defensive. Though Bennama never stopped trying, the cagey Uzbek couldn’t miss with his short punches in close, earning him the win.
Dusmatov, who sat out the Tokyo Olympics to get his professional career going, joins a list of two-time Olympic gold medal winners that includes Guillermo Rigondeaux and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
At the Rio Olympics in 2016, Dusmatov won the 49kg men’s gold.
“After Rio, I took a little break in my Olympic career. But I wanted to get that second gold medal, which is why I came back. I’ve given everything to do this. All the hard work has paid off,” said Dusmatov, a 6-0 (5 knockouts) pro, according to the Associated Press.
In the day’s other gold medal match, China’s Chang Yuan defeated Turkey’s Hatice Akbas by a 5-0 decision in the women’s 54kg final, helping China finish the day within a single gold of the United States’ total tally at the Paris Games, 30 to 29.
Full Results
Men’s 57kg – semifinals
Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB) 5-0 Charlie Senior (AUS)
Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu (KGZ) 4-1 Javier Ibanez Diaz (BUL)
Women’s 75kg – semifinals
Li Qian (CHN) 5-0 Caitlin Parker (AUS)
Atheyna Bibeichi Bylon (PAN) 4-1 Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba (EOR)
Men’s 51kg – final
Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) 5-0 Billal Bennama (FRA)
Women’s 54kg – final
Chang Yuan (CHN) 5-0 Hatice Akbas (TUR)
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