Tokyo 2020 hosts successful boxing test event in another important step on the Boxing Road to Tokyo
The three-day Tokyo 2020 Olympic boxing test event was held in the iconic Ryōgoku Kokugikan venue, receiving praise from athletes and organisers, as preparations accelerate towards the five Olympic qualification events.
The Ready Steady Tokyo test event was organised by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee with the support of the Olympic Boxing Task Force, which has been put in place by the IOC Executive Board to deliver the Olympic qualification events, and to work with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee on the Olympic boxing competition.
While the test event was not an Olympic qualification event, it served as an important opportunity to assess field-of-play operations, boxing equipment and event staff. It was attended by athletes from eight countries – spread across eight weight categories – including 25 international boxers.
Games-time technology systems were tested, including timing and results systems, as part of the initiatives to ensure the transparency and credibility of boxing refereeing and judging ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Boxing at Tokyo 2020 is about the boxers Morinari Watanabe Boxing Taskforce Chair - Morinari Watanabe Boxing Taskforce Chair
Boxing Taskforce Chair Morinari Watanabe, an IOC Member and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President, highlighted the importance of the test event on the Boxing Road to Tokyo.
“Boxing at Tokyo 2020 is about the boxers. We would like to thank Tokyo 2020 and everyone involved in delivering a great test event, which gave both us and the boxers further confidence as we move towards the Olympic qualification events in five cities around the world, and of course the Olympic competitions back here in Tokyo in less than 10 months. The feedback from the athletes has been very positive, and we also had a number of discussions to update them on our planning and get their feedback. Our clear goal is to ensure an Olympic boxing process built on athlete engagement, transparency and credibility, particularly in the vital area of refereeing and judging.”
The event also highlighted the unique opportunity for athletes to compete at a venue which is famous as a temple of sumo wrestling in the Japanese capital.
“The Ryōgoku Kokugikan venue will provide an absolutely unique stage for the Olympic boxers at Tokyo 2020,” said IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell. “You can feel that this venue is more than just a competition arena – it is a celebration of sport and Japanese culture. It embodies the unique character of the host country, and will give Olympic boxers a wonderful platform and experience next year.”
India’s former World Championship bronze medallist Shiva Thapa beat Toltayev Sanatali of Kazakhstan in the men’s lightweight final (57-63kg); while compatriot Rani Pooja beat Australian Caitlin Parker to claim gold in the women’s middleweight (69-75kg).
Ashish Kulheria completed a fine competition for India by reaching the men’s welterweight (63-69kg) final, before falling to local star Sewon Okazawa.