- Charlie Senior fell to a highly prestigious rival in the semi-final
- The Australian has achieved a rare bronze for his country
- The couple thrilled fans after the judges’ decision was announced
Charlie Senior shocked boxing fans with an eye-catching performance at the Paris Olympics after being defeated by highly-rated Uzbek Abdumalik Khalokov in their semi-final.
Senior (57kg) won the second round on one judge’s card and a round on another judge’s card in the final round as he valiantly attempted to lay a glove on the sharp Uzbek, but had to settle for a rare bronze medal for Australia in the ring.
The Uzbek won comfortably 5-0, replicating Harry Garside’s bronze in Tokyo three years ago and ending Australia’s 33-year wait for a boxing medal.
Immediately after the winner was announced, the Australian, known for performing backflips in the ring after his victories, performed the acrobatic feat on his rival in a moving display of sportsmanship.
“When he’s hitting you in the face, it’s kind of hard to change that quickly,” said Senior, who thought it was a closer fight than the card reflected.
‘I just didn’t start fast enough and then once you get the lead, you need to do something amazing to change the perspective.
“Winning bronze is a good way to say it. Normally I would have said yes, I was the second loser.”
Australia’s Caitlin Parker also lost her semi-final, but remains the first Australian woman to win an Olympic boxing medal.
Charlie Senior (right) claimed a rare boxing medal for Australia despite losing his semi-final to Abdumalik Khalokov (left) in Paris
Senior is known for celebrating his victories with backflips, and both he and his Uzbek rival performed the acrobatic move in a showy display of sportsmanship after their fight.
The Australian’s gesture capped a stellar Olympics for the Australian boxing team, despite a shock defeat to highly-rated Harry Garside in his opening fight.
She was one good round away from taking home silver or gold in the surprise that took place at Roland Garros on Thursday night.
On the centre court of the home of French tennis, the Australian boxing captain won all five cards in a smart first round.
But her Chinese opponent, Li Qian, immediately responded with a 5-0 second round win.
With a bloodied nose, Parker (75kg) fought freely in the final round, but the Chinese favourite won on all cards to secure a brilliant comeback and a unanimous victory.
There are no third-place fights at the Olympics, meaning that both defeated semi-finalists receive bronze medals.
No Australian has ever won an Olympic gold medal in boxing and the two defeats mean the 120-year quest will continue until the Los Angeles Games, if boxing gets a place on the programme as hoped.
“I’m proud of myself for making history in Australian boxing. I said I was going to go to war and I did, I left it all behind,” Parker said.
‘I wanted that gold medal so much that it’s been my phone’s screen saver and for the four years I’ve worn nothing but gold.
Caitlin Parker (in blue) became the first Australian boxer to win a medal when she claimed bronze after losing to China’s Li Qian (in red).
‘I literally haven’t worn silver or grey in the last two or three years.
‘I’ve expressed it so badly and I really thought I could do it, but I didn’t and you know what, I’m proud.
“I did it for Australia and I know I’ll come back stronger.”
“But I’ve been optimistic, I’ve come here, I’ve done things that people dream of and I’ve got a medal on my list of achievements.”
It was the record-breaking 12-member team’s best Olympic performance in 64 years and only the second time they have won two medals in a season.
“Harry (Garside) started last time, this time we came back with two medals,” Parker said.
“Next time we’re going to come back with more and more. In Australian boxing we’re going to be like in swimming, we’re going to bring back those medals.”