Bombers Captain Joshua Tukamuhebwa secured a victory over Guatemala’s Garcia Edgar during the 2024 Olympics Boxing Qualification Tournament in Italy. The match, held on Tuesday, witnessed Tukamuhebwa’s commanding performance leading to a RSC decision in his favor, allowing him to advance into the 63.5kg round of 16.
Referee intervention in the third round declared Tukamuhebwa the victor over his Guatemalan counterpart. The team captain’s triumph not only advances him in the tournament but also keeps Uganda’s aspirations alive for representation in the boxing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Amidst travel challenges due to financial constraints, Uganda sent a team of four boxers to the qualification event, along with coach Twaibu Mayanja, including Yusuf Nkobeza and Emily Nakalema. Notably, eyebrows were raised as the traveling squad revealed the absence of a delegate from the Uganda Boxing Federation or the National Council of Sports.
The Ugandan team has so far been faced with mixed results at the ongoing competition. Shafic Mawanda faced a loss via walkover due to arriving late at the arena, while Yusuf Nkobeza was defeated by Romanian Paul Andrei Aradoaei.
Competing in the Women’s 66kg division, Emily Nakalema received a bye in the initial preliminary round and is scheduled to face Moreira Ivanusa of Cape Verde on Friday, March 8, sustaining Uganda’s hopes across multiple weight classes. Of the six-man squad that traveled to Dakar, Senegal, for the African Olympic qualifiers last year, including Shadir Musa Bwogi, only Tukamuhebwa fought his way into the semifinals.
Tukamuhebwa now shifts his focus to his fight against Romania’s Jitaru Robert Eusebiu on Thursday. Eusebiu earned his spot in the following round by defeating Namibian Shailemo Elifas with a unanimous decision (5-0).
