Marco Verde Wins Silver in Boxing at Paris 2024 Olympics
Mexican boxer Marco Verde claimed the silver medal in the welterweight (71 kg) category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, falling to Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev in a hard-fought bout on Friday. Muydinkhujaev won by unanimous decision, securing victory on all five judges’ scorecards.
The silver marks Mexico’s fifth medal at these Games, adding to the nation’s tally of three silvers and two bronze medals. For Verde, this achievement is a testament to his perseverance and skill, as he continues Mexico’s proud boxing legacy, now standing as the country’s 14th Olympic boxing medal.
A Tough Fight Against a Formidable Opponent
The match between Verde and Muydinkhujaev was closely contested, with both fighters showing determination and resilience. From the opening bell, Muydinkhujaev’s speed and accuracy with his right jab gave him the edge, while his left counterpunches consistently found their mark. Verde, known for his aggressive style, pressed forward, trying to cut off the ring and corner his opponent, but Muydinkhujaev used his footwork to evade Verde’s powerful strikes, moving in and out of range with precision.
The Uzbeki fighter claimed the first two rounds on all five scorecards, leaving Verde with no choice but to adopt a more aggressive strategy in the final round. In response, Verde chased Muydinkhujaev around the ring, as the referee cautioned the Uzbeki boxer for his reluctance to engage. Verde’s pressure paid off in the third round, earning him the win on the judges’ cards, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the earlier deficit. Muydinkhujaev took the match with a narrow 29-28 decision across all five judges.
A Legacy of Boxing Excellence
Despite falling short of gold, Verde’s silver medal adds to Mexico’s rich Olympic boxing history. With 14 Olympic boxing medals, this sport remains one of Mexico’s strongest, second only to diving in terms of medal count.
Marco Verde’s silver also highlights the 22-year-old’s promising future in the sport. His path to the final included impressive victories, and his determination in the ring reflects the heart of a true champion. Though he settled for silver, his performance in Paris will inspire future generations of Mexican boxers.
Mexican Athletes Continue to Shine in Paris
Friday also saw several other Mexican athletes in action. In diving, Randal Willars and Kevin Berlín advanced to the semifinals of the 10-meter platform, with Willars finishing sixth and Berlín qualifying in 11th. Alejandra Estudillo impressed in the women’s 3-meter springboard, finishing in sixth place after a strong final dive, marking an unexpected success in her Olympic debut.
In the men’s modern pentathlon, Emiliano Hernández finished third in the laser run, securing his place in Saturday’s bonus fencing event, while Duilio Carrillo was eliminated after finishing 15th. In artistic swimming, Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jiménez placed 10th in the technical round of the women’s duet competition, and will look to improve in Saturday’s final artistic round.
Mexico’s athletic prowess was also on display in kayaking, golf, swimming, and cycling, with athletes continuing to perform admirably despite tough competition. As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw closer to their conclusion, Mexico’s athletes are giving their all, with Marco Verde’s silver serving as a shining highlight of the nation’s achievements on the world stage.
Originally posted 2024-08-08 19:37:00.
