Morocco’s men’s and women’s national boxing teams secured the title at the 21st African Boxing Championship, held on Oct. 17-27 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Morocco led the tournament with a total of 21 medals, including 10 gold, eight silver, and three bronze. The Democratic Republic of the Congo placed second with nine gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals, while Kenya finished third with one gold, two silver, and five bronze.
The gold medals were awarded to world champion Khadija Mardi in the +81 kg category, Younes Bouhdid in the +92 kg category, Issam Bensyir in the 51 kg category, Nadir Abdelhak in the 67 kg category, Widad Bartal in the 54 kg category, Yasmin Matki in the 50 kg category, Saida Lahmidi in the 70 kg category, Fadel Zahiri in the 60 kg category, Nouria Mssanawi in the 75 kg category, and Hasna Herti in the 81 kg category.
The silver medals went to Mounia Toutir in the 66 kg category, Rabab Cheddar in the 52 kg category, Ahmed Badrani in the 86 kg category, Yassine El Ouarz in the 75 kg category, Fatima Azim in the 57 kg category, Douaa Zaki in the 63 kg category, Hafsa Harwaq in the 48 kg category, and Mohammed Al-Alwa in the 63.5 kg category.
Imad Azzawi in the 57 kg category, Zain Al-Abidin Amroug in the 71 kg category, and Hamza Al-Sayidi in the 48 kg category won the bronze medals.
Morocco retained its position as the top boxing nation in Africa for the second consecutive time, following the teams’ victory at the Yaounde tournament in Cameroon in 2023. 26 teams representing the African continent participated in the Kinshasa championship.
Cuban coach Austin Damian led the national team in the tournament, along with Moroccan coaches Mohammed Al-Arjaoui, Mohammed Al-Zarif, and Hicham Bouchouit.