DELFINE PERSOON’S OLYMPIC bid suffered a blow as she lost in the opening round of the European qualification tournament in London.
The Belgian — who narrowly lost her professional world title unification clash against Katie Taylor last summer — has returned to the amateur ranks with her sights set on Tokyo.
But on the back of an injury-hit preparation, she struggled in the Copper Box Arena on Saturday and lost a split 4-1 decision to Nikoleta Peta of Greece.
Persoon was competing in the 60kg lightweight division where she was on the opposite side of the draw to Dublin’s Kellie Harrington.
The Belgian will still have one more chance to book her Olympic ticket at the final global qualification tournament, which is currently scheduled to take place in Paris in May.
Harrington, who received a bye into the last 16 as the second seed, begins her tournament on Tuesday when she will face either Aneta Rygielska of Poland or Romania’s Paula Cosmo.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Sure that’s not the cousin DEREK?
Woohoo .. Paris has moved to Mayo :-)
@Logan Shepherd: Dammit they corrected it.
Surely you cant just flip flop from pro to amateur like that?
But . But. Women’s sport is such a high standard & spectacle , they deserve to paid as much as men. LOL
@Doug Storms: it’s the exact same for men? Since before last olympics professionals can go back and qualify (at amateur tournaments and amateur rules
But sure let’s make the misogynistic comments anyway…. bloody women.
Persoon is a tough fighter. Once fully healthy, I’d like to see her fight Amanda Serranto. I like Katie Taylor, I really do, But I’m going to Hate to see Katie Taylor lose to Amanda Serrano !!!