“Relieved” is the adjective boxer Tammara Thibeault used when discussing her qualification for the Paris Olympics.
The Quebecer secured her place in the biggest amateur sports competition by reaching the final in the 75kg category at the Pan American Games. She also won the gold medal at the event in Santiago, Chile.
“Above all, I feel relieved. We’re nine months away from the Olympics and I’m qualified. It is extraordinary. “I will be able to fully concentrate on my preparation,” Thibeault said in a telephone interview.
“There was pressure on my shoulders,” the 26-year-old pugilist added. My ticket to Paris was at stake. I’m a four-time intercontinental champion and that brings pressure.”
Goal: write history
With the pressure of qualifying now a thing of the past, Thibeault (48-12-0, 6 KOs) isn’t afraid to put another pressure on her shoulders: becoming the first Canadian woman in history to win the highest honors in the Boxing won the Olympics.
“My goal is to win the gold medal for my country,” she said confidently. This has never been done for women in Canada and it has been more than 20 years since we won a medal in boxing.
In fact, a representative of the maple leaf has never won a medal – gold, silver or bronze – at the Olympic Games. The last medal won by a Canadian was the silver medal won by David Defiagbon in the heavyweight division in Atlanta in 1996.
Learn from defeats
In Paris, Thibeault will take part in his second Olympic Games. In 2021, she placed fifth in the 75 kg category in Tokyo.
The native of Saint-Georges lost unanimously in the quarterfinals against the Dutch Nouchka Fontijn. The Canadian boxer believes it is the lessons learned after this setback that will allow her to achieve a better result in the City of Lights.
“After Tokyo I was disappointed. I was so close but missed a medal by one lap. However, I believe that this defeat allowed me to become the boxer that I am today. So I don’t regret anything.”
“I have more maturity and experience. This will make a big difference.”
Among the professionals
Even though all of her preparation and focus is currently on the Olympics, Thibeault doesn’t hide the fact that she has other goals. The competition in Paris will be his final round of amateur competition.
“I would like to make the jump to the professionals after the games in Paris,” she revealed. I’ve been in the amateur field for a long time. I’m at a point in my life where I need a new challenge.”
“Women’s boxing is growing and I want to be a part of it!”