Sofiane Oumiha has once again failed in the Olympic final, eight years after his defeat in Rio in 2016. Although the favourite against Cuba’s Erislandy Alvarez Borges, the 29-year-old from Toulouse lost in a split decision (3-2) in the -63.5 kg category, in front of the 15,000 excited spectators on the Roland-Garros centre court. In a tense fight until the end, where he won the second and third rounds, Oumiha still brought home the 51st medal for the French delegation, after the bronze won by Djamili-Dini Aboudou Moindze earlier in the evening.
In a matter of seconds, Sofiane Oumiha’s dream was shattered after a fierce battle. It was the Cuban Alvarez Borges, whom the Frenchman had beaten in the final of the last World Championships, who took the Olympic title. “I wanted to finish in style but it didn’t go the way I wanted,” he told France TV. “Life will go on. I wanted to do well, I wanted to give it my all, it didn’t happen today. I gave myself the means to get here but I can’t be happy with a silver medal.”
Last two covers not enough
However, this duel could have turned in his favour as the Frenchman managed, from the start, to put pressure on an explosive opponent. Despite the aggressiveness of the Toulousain, the Cuban found the spaces to send his powerful hooks, allowing him to unanimously win the first round (5-0).
With his back to the wall, Oumiha, triple world champion in the under 60 kg category (2017, 2021 and 2023), chose to take the center of the ring to impose his rhythm against the vice-world champion. A strategy that paid off to hit him more, and was enough to pocket the second round 3-2.
Everything was decided in the last three minutes. In a boiling Roland-Garros stadium, Oumiha pushed, even winning the last round 3-2. But the unanimous score of the first (5-0) did not allow him to impose himself and catch up. He finally lost three judges to two and had to settle for a second Olympic silver medal, which inevitably left a bitter taste.
2024-08-07 22:11:08
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