The Spanish boxing team is preparing to make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a record-breaking representation. For the first time since the Barcelona 1992 Games, Spain will have six boxers competing, including five men and one woman. This is also the first time in history that Spanish boxing will feature a female representative since women's boxing was introduced to the Olympics in London 2012.

Historic Representation for Spain

The Spanish delegation in Paris aims to surpass the achievements of the Tokyo 2020 Games, where four Spanish boxers competed and secured three Olympic diplomas. The ultimate goal is to win a medal, a feat not accomplished since Sydney 2000 when current national coach Rafa Lozano secured a silver medal.

The Team's Composition

The team includes José Quiles (-57 kg, 26 years), Enmanuel Reyes Pla (-92 kg, 31 years), Oier Ibarreche (-63.5 kg, 21 years), Rafa Lozano Jr (-51 kg, 19 years), Ayoub Ghadfa (+92 kg, 25 years), and Laura Fuertes (-50 kg, 23 years). This diverse group showcases the excellent work being done by the Spanish Boxing Federation.

"Qualifying six athletes is a tremendous success, given the competition's restructuring, which made it challenging to match Tokyo's numbers," said Felipe Martínez, president of the Federation. "We have our first female Olympian, experienced male boxers, and two young athletes who were expected to peak for the next Olympic cycle but have already shown their potential. The key is the great cohesion and the outstanding technical team led by Rafa Lozano."

A Balanced Mix of Youth and Experience

Spain's boxing team combines youth and experience. Young talents like Oier Ibarreche and Rafa Lozano Jr have emerged earlier than expected, while experienced boxers like Enmanuel Reyes Pla and José Quiles bring valuable experience from Tokyo. Laura Fuertes' inclusion marks a significant milestone for women's boxing in Spain, and Ayoub Ghadfa represents a bold personal bet by the national coach after his performance in the Spanish Elite Championships.

Competitive Landscape

Spain will have the most male boxers from any European country in Paris, with five out of seven possible qualifiers. For context, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will have seven male boxers each, while Australia ties with Spain at six. Other countries like Cuba, the United States, France, and Ireland will have four each, and Great Britain and Italy will have three.

The Spanish team is currently training with other teams at the CAR in Sierra Nevada. Next week, they will move to Madrid before starting a training camp in France on July 7, from where they will head to the Olympic Village.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova