Congolese fighters were expected this Thursday, July 29, but David Tshama Mwenekabwe in boxing and Marie Branser in judo did not manage to win to continue their tournament. South African swimmers and hockey players lit up the dull day for African athletes.
BOXING
A day without African boxing. After passing the preliminary round in the under 75 kg (middleweight) category, Congolese David Tshama Mwenekabwe fell in the round of 16 against Haitian boxer Darrelle Valsaint Jr (4-1). The same disappointment for the Algerian Younes Nemouchi.
In the over 91 kilos (super heavyweight), the Cameroonian Maxime Yegnong Njieyo, the Algerian Chouaib and the Egyptian Yousry Rezk Mostafa Hafez were beaten as soon as they entered the race, by unanimous decision of the judges.
This was also the case the Burundian Ornella Havyarimana in the category less than 51 kilos (flight weight).
JUDO
The days go by and look the same for African judo. In the category under 78 kg, the Congolese double-reigning African champion Marie Branser and the Gabonese Sarah-Myriam Mazouz did not pass the first round.
In men, the only African representative in the 100 kg category, Egyptian Ramadan Darwish was eliminated in the round of 16 by Georgian Varlam Liparteliani after beating Pakistani Shah in his first match.
FENCING
The day after the Egyptians’ beautiful fifth place in the team table, their female compatriots could not do better than eighth and last in team foil. The Egyptians initially lost in the quarterfinals against Russia’s future gold medals before losing to the Japanese and Hungarians in classification matches.
RUGBYÀ 7
After the men’s tournament, it’s time for the women. Like their fellow human beings, the Kenyans had a bad first day at Tokyo Stadium. They lost their first two matches against one of the favorites, New Zealand (29-7) and Russia’s Olympic team (35-12).
Kenya meets Great Britain to take a place among the best third groups, qualified for the quarterfinals.
HANDBALL
The Angolans are not doing well in Tokyo: three matches, three defeats. The last was this Thursday against the Netherlands (37-28).
Quarter finalist at the 2016 Olympics, Angola is last in its group before its last two meetings against Japan and South Korea. The three-time African champions must win them in the hope of repeating their achievements five years ago, in Rio de Janeiro.
HOCKEY
South African men’s team won against Germany (4-3) when it was led at half time. After three defeats, this is the first victory for the South Africans who retain a historic chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. We must beat Canada, already eliminated, on the last day tomorrow.
VOLLEY-BALL
Kenya near the exit. The Kenyans have suffered a third defeat in a row against Serbia’s team, the reigning Olympic vice-champion (3 sets 0). They have to win their last two group matches to hope to see the quarterfinals.
BEACH VOLLEYBOLL
No more success on the sand for the Kenyans. The Khadambi-Makokha pair lost to the Americans (2 sets 0). After two defeats, they must win in their last meeting against the Latvians to believe in a qualifier for the round of 16.
WATER POLO
South Africa is still declining. After Italy and the United States, it was Hungary’s turn, the reigning European champions, to give the South Koreans a correction (23-1). They have two matches left to win their first Olympic victory since 1960.
SWIMMING
South Africans Tatjana Schoenmaker and Kaylene Corbett made a strong impression and each won their semifinal in the 200 meter breaststroke. Schoenmaker, the latest silver medalist in the specialty 100 meters, set the fastest time and will be the biggest favorite in the final tomorrow.
Their compatriots, Matthew Sates, placed him 8th and last in his semifinal in the 200 meter medley and will not be able to compete for a medal, just like Chad le Clos over 100 butterfly meters. The two-time Olympic silver medalist from a distance did not even reach the semifinals, unlike Egyptian Youssef Ramadan. A double surprise in the Tokyo Basin.
ROWING
Algerians Sid Ali Boudina and Kamel Ait Daoud took fifth place in the C final in light two-scoop. They therefore finished 17th out of 18 in a competition won by Ireland.
Among women, Tunisians Khadija Krimi and Nour Elhouda Ettaieb are ranked 16th in the category.
BMX
South African Alex Limberg did not make it to the semifinals. He took the sixth and final place in his series.
ARCHERY
Chadian Marlyse Hourtou and Tunisia’s Mohamed Hammed failed the first round of the individual event.
SHOOT
The Tunisian Olfa Charni finished in 37th place in the 25-meter shot put eliminated.
Egyptian Maggy Ashmawy also failed to reach the Olympic pit final. She finished 22 of 26 in the qualifiers, and her compatriots Abdel Aziz Mehelba and Ahmed Zaher were no more successful.
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