(Montreal) Boxer Tammara Thibeault came out of the ring with the same smile as the one she showed when she entered it on Friday, in her first fight of the Pan American Games. Less than one round was enough for the Quebecer to defeat the Dominican Milena Altagracia Jimenez Castillo in the under 75 kg category.
The bell had just rung at the Olympic Training Center. Thibeault left the blue corner and hit his opponent hard in the face. The majority of her shots hit the target after that and the Dominican went to the mat after just 40 seconds.
The official ended the fight with eight seconds remaining in the first round. This was already the third time he checked on Castillo.
“The ice is broken! » quickly summed up Tammara Thibeault as she left the ring. “I always get nervous before a fight. Even though I have a lot of experience, I still get the butterflies and I feel alive! I’m really happy with the fight and being here. »
When she was introduced by the announcer, Thibeault quickly turned around and greeted the members of the Canadian team present to encourage her. A welcome that gave her wings and led her to this first victory.
“It feels really good to be supported like this! That means everything to me. Yes, it’s an individual sport, but we work as a team. It’s not always easy, but at the end of the day, we stick together. »
The quarter-finals of his category will take place next Tuesday, while his opponent remains to be determined.
Tammara Thibeault is in her second Pan American Games. She was the youngest Canadian boxer in Peru in 2019.
She suffered a defeat by split decision in the semi-final against Colombian Jessica Caicedo. The latter then won the gold medal, only to lose it a few months later following an anti-doping test. Result: Thibeault’s bronze medal was changed for a silver.
The Shawinigan athlete assures that she has evolved greatly over the four years that followed. “More mature, more experienced, and more fun too! » she emphasized.
Her track record speaks for itself, including a first appearance at the Olympic Games, a world champion title and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The change of medal at the Pan American Games in Lima is reminiscent of those of the Canadian head of mission in Santiago, Christine Girard, who experienced a similar situation during these two Olympic presences. In an interview with Sportcom, the former weightlifter and Olympic champion explained how these events shaped her, both in and outside of sport.
Thibeault shares this way of seeing things, she who will try to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in the coming days by reaching the final of her category.
“I want to live in the moment, I try to absorb everything that’s happening and focus on my struggles. It’s still an Olympic qualification, but the only way to succeed in qualifying is by taking it one step at a time. »
Victor Tremblay was the first Canadian boxer to fight at the Pan American Games in Santiago on Thursday. He lost to Brazilian Luiz Gabriel Do Nascimento Chalot Oliveira in the 57kg draw. On Saturday, Montrealer Keven Beauséjour will enter the ring against Chilean Julio Alamos Mumbru, in the 80 kg category.