Quebec boxer Tammara Thibeault accomplished her two goals at the Pan American Games.
The 26-year-old athlete from Shawinigan won gold and ensured her qualification for the Paris Olympic Games.
“It means a lot to me. Every tournament I had participated in, I had won gold, except the Pan American Games, Thibeault said. All that’s missing is the Olympics. We are on the right path.
“I am very proud of my team and me. I couldn’t have accomplished this alone. »
Thibeault defeated Panamanian Atheyna Bylon by unanimous decision in the 75 kg final. It was the same final as at the last World Championships, where Thibeault was also crowned.
“We know each other very well. She is a difficult boxer to face. She has a lot of talent,” added Thibeault.
“I was a little disappointed with my performance [vendredi], I could have boxed cleaner, not left the fight so close. But I was able to get the victory. »
By reaching the final, Thibeault qualified for the Paris Olympics, where she will be a medal hope for Canada.
This will then be her second participation in the Olympics, having reached the quarter-finals in Tokyo.
Thibeault won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, in 2019. It was transformed into a silver medal following an opponent’s positive doping test.
Nova Scotian Wyatt Sanford is scheduled to face Mexican Miguel Angel Martinez Ramirez later Friday for the 63.5 kg gold medal. He also qualified for Paris by winning the semi-final.