Irish Magno won her first match at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday at the Kokugikan Stadium in the Japanese capital, defeating Kenya’s Christine Ongare.
Magno, ranked 25th in the world, battled the 17th seeded Ongare in the first round of their women’s flyweight bout, landing the more accurate shots to win the round.
Despite Ongare’s attempt to comeback by being more aggressive, Magno’s dominance persisted in Round 2, as she remained the better fighter in the final three minutes.
Magno won 30-27, according to judges Sidali Mokretari, Mansur Muhiddinov, Miguel Anco, Beau Campbell, and Carl Ruhen. Magno will compete again on Thursday.
In the round of 16 of women’s flyweight event, Filipina boxer Irish Magno will face Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong on Thursday, July 29, at 12:24 PM, Philippine time.
In the first round, Jitpong defeated Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
The Iloilo native joins fellow female boxer Nesthy Petecio, who qualified for the women’s featherweight round of 16, in the next round.
Magno made history by being the first Filipina boxer to qualify for the Olympics after winning a spot in the Asia and Oceania qualifications.
She also took silver in the women’s flyweight event in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.