A bitter day for Algeria on the opening day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, yet it was lightened up by a great performance from boxer Abdelhafid Benchabla.
Day one in Tokyo saw the participation of the Algerian delegation in six events across different sports, starting off with Houda Chaabi in the women’s 10-meter air rifle competition.
Out of 50 competitors the Algerian shooter finished in 39th in the overall table and failed to qualify for the finals as only the top eight would progress.
Next up was fencer Akram Bounabi against Japan’s Kaito Streets in the men’s sabre individual event. Unfortunately the Algerian wasn’t able to cause an upset against Streets on home soil, after the final score ended 15-9.
Rowers Kamel Ait Daoud and Sid Ali Boudina partnered up for the lightweight men’s double sculls, despite finishing last, they will get another chance for a qualification spot in the repechage which is set to take place tomorrow.
The day started to look bright for Algeria in their fourth event which saw Benchabla take on Uzbekistani Sanjar Tursunov in the men’s heavy (81-91kg) preliminaries round of 32. The Algerian booked a place in the round of 16 after a convincing display with a final score of 4-1. He will now face the Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, who competes under the Olympic flag.
Meanwhile outside the Olympic village the men’s road race was being contested, both Algerians Azeddine Laqab and Hamza Mansouri were unable to finish the race in what were difficult conditions for a race which consisted of a 234KM race between Musashinonomori Park and Mount Fuji.
The last Algerian to compete was Larbi Bouriah in the men’s singles of the table tennis against the Hungarian Bence Majoros. Bouriah was defeated in four straight sets.
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DZ Sport 