4 months ago
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TEAM GB’s Rosie Eccles suffered a shock defeat in the opening round of the women’s boxing at Paris 2024.
Competing in the women’s welterweight category, Eccles faced Poland’s Aneta Rygielska and lost on a controversial split decision.
Reuters
Reuters
GettyIn Paris, the fight between Eccles and Rygielska began with intense exchanges as the British boxer wanted revenge after her 2022 European Championship quarter-final defeat to the Pole.
Although Rygielska hit the canvas, it wasn’t scored as an opening-round knockdown.
As the final round approached, Eccles appeared more active and believed she had control of the tight contest.
Rygielska received a point deduction for wilting and repeatedly breaking the rules.
When the final bell rang, Eccles thought she had secured victory anticipating an intriguing round-of-16 clash with Busenaz Surmeneli.
However, the judge’s split decision shocked everyone resulting in a 3-2 loss for Eccles.
Speaking after the fight an emotional Eccles said: “I knew I’d won the fight. I’m really, really shocked.
“I’ve given my whole life for a gold medal in the Olympics, or at least an Olympic medal to take home. I really would have been proud of that.”
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And fans were fuming with some sharing their reaction on social media.
One said: “Suspect result, a clear win for Rosie.”
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics is now well underway with medals being ticked off and huge events still to come.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a what is expected to be a huge third day.
Tom Daley looks to retain his 10m synchro diving gold, this time with Noah Williams instead of Matty Lee (10am).
Tatt-mad Matt Richards and Tokyo silver star Duncan Scott are battling for 200m freestyle gold in the swimming pool (7.40pm).
Tom Pidcock goes in the mountain biking cross-country after winning gold three years ago (1.10pm) and it is the finals of equestrian eventing (team 11.15am, individual 2pm).
The men’s team gymnastics final – featuring Max Whitlock – starts at 4.30pm.
In hockey, Team GB women face Australia in their second pool match of this year, looking to make it bronze, gold, bronze, gold in the last four Olympics (4pm).
And there are Brits galore in the sailing down in Marseille (from 11am).
Swimmers Lilly King, Tatjana Smith, Ruta Meilutyte and Tang Qianting make up a star-studded quartet going for women’s 100m breaststroke gold (8.30pm).
It’s Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster second-round singles clash at Roland Garros, the tennis superstars’ 60th and probably final meeting (12.30pm).
Ukraine’s six-time fencing world champion Olha Kharlan was sent a personal letter by IOC chief Thomas Bach guaranteeing her place at a fifth Olympics.
She was disqualified from the fencing world champs last year for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent. The women’s sabre final is at 8.45pm.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
Another added: “Rosie was absolutely robbed.”
A third then said: “Shocking decision considering point deduction for opponent too.”
And even the glasses retail chain Specsavers said: “Can we speak to the judges please.”
BBC pundit Steven Bunce said: “I’m genuinely shocked. I’m stunned. I really did think she’d get it. That was a brutal outcome.”
Boos could be heard around the arena as many were bemused by the result.
Eccles will now miss out on the chance to secure an Olympic medal as the defeat has wiped her out of the competition.
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