American born light-flyweight Carlos Suarez became the second boxer in T&T’s history to qualify for the Olympic Games when he finished third in the Olympic Qualifiers of the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday. The 18-year-old, whose mother is a Trinidadian, made it to the semifinals of the event after beating Costa Rican champion David Alejandro Jimenez and Peru’s Enoc Hualinga in the first two rounds. Though he suffered a brutal 24-3 defeat to Janthony Ortiz Marcano, Suarez was awarded the bronze over fellow semifinalist Mexican Joselito Velasquez when Marcano beat Ecuadorian Carlos Quipo in the final since the rules of the AIBA favour the boxer who fights the eventual champion.
Marcano, Quipo and Suarez will join a 26-man field in the 49 kg category in London. Suarez follows in the footsteps of middleweight Kirt Sinnette, who created history when he took part in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. The fighter drew praise from Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, who was thrilled with the news: “Coming on the heels of Andrew Lewis’ historic entry into the Olympic sailing arena, I am thrilled that but a few days later, T&T can celebrate the qualification of another Olympic athlete. At 18 years old, Carlos certainly has a bright future ahead of him and his qualification is certainly a boost for amateur boxing in T&T. I know the nation shares in my excitement in the build-up to London 2012 as we anticipate more good news from our athletes in the coming weeks.”
Source: www.guardian.co.tt