Tokyo Olympics: Sena Irie makes history, becomes first Japanese woman to win boxing

After defeating Philippines’s Nesthy Petecio, Sena Iriewrites history as she becomes the first Japanese woman to win Olympic boxing gold onTuesday. As for Petecio, it is disappointing as she was looking forward to winningthe first gold in Olympic boxing.

The scorecards clearly show the 20-year-old ahead justafter the first round. Both the champions were playing on Japan’s nationalsport sumo, Kokugika Arena. The 2^nd round was in the favour of the29-year-old Petecio, while the last round was really competitive.

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But the judges gave a nod to Irie and she was cryingkeeping her hand on her mouth. The Phillippines are still to face another Japanesecompetitor, Ryomei Tanaka, on Thursday in the men’s flyweight semi-finals.

Born in Yonago, Japan, Sena took up sports in 2008and was inspired by a Japanese cartoon series; she has received ExcellenceAward from Japan Amateur Boxing Federation, and was also titled as FemaleRookie of the year.

She was ranked 5^th in the 2019 Asian Championshipand in 2019 in World Championships. In 2017 and 2018 she was ranked 3^rdin World Youth Championships. Her nickname is Irie Wani (crocodile), she is astudent and likes watching videos.

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In the quarter-finals of Paalam, had defeated Uzbekistan’sShakhobidin Zorirov and now guarantees at least a bronze medal.