Vietnamese boxer downs Thai rival to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Duong is one of the four Vietnamese representatives at the ongoing Asia/Oceania Olympic boxing qualifying tournament in Amman, Jordan.

Inspired by his impressive knock-out (KO) victory over Australia's Charlie Senior, Duong confidently headed into the 52-57kg quarterfinal clash against Chatchai-decha Butdee, with the winner to be awarded an Olympic berth.

As soon as the match started, the 1996-born athlete threw powerful left hooks and made his Thai rival dizzy. After the 60 seconds, the referee ruled Duong to be the winner, as Chatchai-decha Butdee had been floored twice.

According to new rules of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), as for the men's game, a boxer who concedes four knockdowns in one match or two knockdowns in one round will be ruled the loser.

"I lost the title match against Chatchai-decha Butdee in 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, so I am very happy to take revenge on him here. It's even more amazing as the victory earns me a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics," Nguyen Van Duong said.

Vietnamese boxing still has another Olympic hope in Jordan, Nguyen Manh Cuong, who will compete for a Tokyo 2020 place against Indonesia's Sachin Kumar in the men's 81kg weight category.

Boxer Nguyen Van Duong is Vietnam's fifth 2020 Olympic ticket holder, after Nguyen Huy Hoang (swimming), Le Thanh Tung (gymnastics), Do Anh Nguyet (archery) and Hoang Phi Vu (archery).

(Source: NDO)