He beat Abdelali Daraa of Morocco 13-10 in the 46 kg light flyweight boxing category at the ongoing London Olympics.
Le Point
Cameroon’s 49 kg light flyweight boxer, Thomas Essomba has qualified for the 16th round of the London 2012 Olympic competition after defeating Morocco’s Abdelali Daraa on points13 – 10.
The fight got up to a timid start in the first round with both boxers seemingly studying the other and avoiding to be caught off guard. However, intensity stepped up in the second as each both Essomba and Daraa took turns trying to make the breakthrough. A rapid combination of punches from the Cameroonian forced Daraa to retreat time and again.
Conscious of the lead, the 24-year-old mounted pressure on his Moroccan opponent unleashing some good right hooks in the process. Thomas Essomba, Cameroon sports man of the year, is the first Cameroonian boxer to pick a second round ticket since the start of the competition. He will meet Ireland’s Barnes Paddy on August 4th at 2 p.m.
In the 64 kg Light-Welterweight category, Abomo Serge was humbled by Sener Yakupe from Turkey 15 – 10 in a thrilling first bout. During the second and third bouts, the Turkish took advantage giving several hooks in the range. Attempts by the Cameroonian to repel were fruitless. Last Monday, Light Heavyweight flag bearer, Dongfack Adjoufack, was butted out of the competition by Enrico Koelling of German nationality. Despite the massive support from the crowd, the Cameroonian boxer dressed in blue, could not measure up to the smart and fabulous tactics of his opponents. At the end, it was a happy Enrico who carried the day on a 15-6 score.
The last Cameroonian boxer to compete, Yepmou Mendouo will today mount the ring in the plus 91 kg category at the Excel South Arena against Anthony Joshua of Great Britain. In Judo, Dolassem Dieudonne will also be making his entry into the competition today. The 32-year-old athlete will be competing in the less than 90 category against another host athlete, Winston Gordon.
