IRISH DUO KELYN Cassidy and Sean Mari both suffered heartbreaking defeats as their Olympic qualification dreams came to an end in Bangkok on Thursday.
Waterford’s Cassidy was beaten by the narrowest of margins as he lost a 3-2 split decision to world bronze medallist Gazimagomed Jalidov in the last 16 of the 80kg division at the Second World Qualification Tournament.
80kg Kelyn Cassidy exits the 2nd Olympic World Qualifier on the narrowest of margins, 3-2 Vs. 🇪🇸
— IABA (@IABABOXING) May 30, 2024
Kelyn's bravery and skill shone throughout this tournament, and he can rightfully be proud of his performances. pic.twitter.com/V88wYQwvo5
There was further bitter disappointment for Ireland later on Thursday afternoon as Dubliner Sean Mari was forced to retire with a hand injury against Malaysia’s Ariffin Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum.
Mari suffered the injury in beating Muhammad Faheem of Pakistan in his opening bout in the 51kg division last weekend, and persevered for two rounds of his last-32 contest on Thursday before withdrawing.
Valiant 51kg Sean Mari was forced to withdraw going in to the 3rd round of his 2nd Olympic Qualification bout V 🇲🇾, owing to a hand injury sustained in his opening bout.
— IABA (@IABABOXING) May 30, 2024
Sean showed great courage in getting in to the ring to contest this bout, and can rightfully be proud. pic.twitter.com/PnVaNhBXf0
Team Ireland will be hoping for better fortunes on Friday morning when Tokyo bronze medallist Aidan Walsh will aim to clinch his Paris qualification with victory over Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash.
Also on Friday morning, Daina Moorehouse meets Armenia’s Anush Grigoryan in the last 16 of the women’s 50kg division, while in the evening session, Gráinne Walsh takes on Sedja Sanogo of the Ivory Coast in the 66kg last 16.
