Back-flipping boxer Charlie Senior will secure Australia’s first medal in the sport at the Paris Olympics after a tense victory over Filipino Carlo Paalam at the North Paris Arena.
The 57kg division quarter-final went down to the wire after three tense rounds with the Perth boxer taking the win in a 3-2 split decision.
The win secures at least a bronze medal for 22-year-old who celebrates his victories with a backflip in the ring.
He now takes on number one ranked Uzbek boxer Abdumalik Khalokov in the semi-finals at Roland Garros Arena on August 8.
It is the first ever medal for Australia in the Featherweight category at the Olympic Games.
A win against Khalokov will deliver Australia’s best boxing result in 36 years, something Charlie believes he can achieve.
“You don't come here for a bronze, you come for the gold medal and you aim for that,” he said.
“I'm not settling with a bronze.
“I'm happy with it. But I'm not leaving with it. I want the gold.”
The bout started off fast, with both boxers quick on their feet and forcing each other into swift punches.
Quick counters and hits meant the first round was always going to be a close decision for the judges, with the decision ultimately going to Paalam three judges to two.
The second round continued in the same manner, with the boxers trading a variety of blows, quick counters and fast dancing moves, with the result flipped from the first in favour of Charlie.
Nothing changed in the final round, with a fast flurry of punches from both boxers getting the crowd involved in an intense atmosphere at the North Paris Arena.
Charlie thrived on the crowd, with his Aussie teammates loudly chanting his name in the closing moments as he surged around the ring, and withstood the last moments of intensity from his opponent.
It was enough for Charlie to secure the victory, with the Australian contingent erupting as the decision was announced.
All that was left was to celebrate with his trademark backflip.
Charlie said that the support in the arena and back home had been amazing.
“I heard the chant loud and clear, it was unbelievable,” Charlie said.
“I'm sure everyone back at home will watch it and I'm sure my phone will be blowing up right now.
“They'll all be in the gym watching or at the pub or cafes.
“Wherever they are watching, they'll be going crazy.”
With the gold medal bout in his mind, he will now regroup as he aims to create history and become Australia’s first Olympic gold medallist in boxing.
“Being humble is my main priority,” he said.
“You go in, get the job done, enjoy it for the night, go back with the coaches and reset and refocus.”
This article was originally written for The Australian Olympic Team. You can read the published version here
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