France's experienced veteran Sofiane Oumiha goes to the Olympics with a lot to prove and a lot to gain.
Oumiha who will participate in this event as one of the most popular broadcasters in this group, is looking forward to what will happen to him in the junior welterweight division.
“The Paris Games, I hope it's going to be really good,” Oumiha told The Ring. “Like any Olympiad, I hope so anyway.”
Oumiha is a decorated rookie and has won numerous titles and championships during a very productive career.
He won bronze at the Youth World Championships in 2012. After moving on to the seniors, he continued his impressive career and became a mainstay on the international scene.
Fils de boxer, c'est tout naturellement que Sofiane Oumiha se met à la box à lâge de 7 ans et monte rapidement sur les podiums. Il participate à ses premiers Jeux en 2016 après avoir dominé le tournoi qualificatif européen et devient vice-champion olympique. In 2023, I deviated… pic.twitter.com/dkoKarQ2wQ
– Equipe France (@EquipeFRA) June 13, 2024
The 29-year-old has already won two national titles, although he rarely competes. He won gold at the 2023 European Games, following silver in 2015 and 2019.
The Frenchman then claimed silver defeating home favorite Robson Conceicao in the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics. He competed in the 2020 Olympics which was delayed until the following summer but lost to eventual silver medalist Keyshawn Davis in the opening round, which was also his last loss.
However, in the World Championships where he had great success taking gold three times, in 2017, 2021 and 2023.
She is one of eight French boxers, four men and four women, who will represent their country at the Games and although there will be a certain level of pressure and scrutiny, she remains optimistic.
“No, not really, on the contrary, I'm used to big tournaments,” said the experienced Oumiha, who has a rookie record of 225-20-1. “Obviously we're going to be more exposed, but there's no more pressure.”
Understandably, his eye is on the top prize.
“I will have finished the game because I have won everything in the amateurs,” he said. “The fulfillment of all my work and determination.”
The Toulouse resident, who holds amateur wins over the likes of future world champions Serhii Bohachuk, Joe Cordina and Teofimo Lopez, as well as rookie star Andy Cruz, has already boxed professionally.
He turned pro in Barcelona, Spain in 2022 and has fought four times on home soil since then, mostly professional and novice boxing over the past few years.
“Yes, this will be my last Olympics in any case,” he said, revealing that he will focus 100 percent on the professional side of sports.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
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