Cristian Pinales secures medal at Paris 2024 Olympics

Paris.- Cristian Pinales etched his name in history by becoming the second Dominican athlete to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Just minutes after Yunior Alcántara (51 kg) defeated Spain’s Rafael Lozano to secure the Dominican Republic’s first Olympic medal of the current competition, Pinales delivered a dominant performance against Croatia’s Gabrijel Veocic, winning by unanimous decision.

Throughout the tournament, Pinales has been one of the most formidable boxers in his weight class, defeating all his opponents by unanimous decision. He now aims for a gold medal as he prepares to face Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbay on August 4 at 6:52 AM (Dominican Republic time).

Pinales showcased a boxing masterclass against Veocic, effectively preventing his opponent from mounting any sustained offense. The judges recognized his superior performance, leading to his unanimous victory.

With Pinales’ medal, the Dominican Republic ties its second-best Olympic performance in history, matching the two medals won in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. This achievement also marks the sixth consecutive Olympic Games in which the Dominican delegation has secured at least one medal.

In the context of Dominican boxing history, Pinales’ medal is the country’s fourth overall. Pedro Julio Nolasco won bronze at Los Angeles 1984, marking the country’s first Olympic medal, and Manuel Félix Díaz won gold at Beijing 2008.

Source: ESPN SPORTS