A powerhouse performance from Delicious Orie in a unanimous semi-final win in Krakow helped him secure a coveted Paris 2024 quota spot.
After three close rounds, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Orie outclassed Bulgaria’s Yordan Hernandez Morejon to emerge victorious on points and reach the super-heavyweight European Games final.
In the immediate aftermath of the win, Orie was visibly emotional and took time to fully appreciate the enormity of what he had just achieved.
“Every single day I wake up in the morning before I go out on my runs and I think to myself ‘I’m going to be an Olympian’”, Orie said after the fight. “Today’s the day so I’m happy.
“When I’m speaking to my mum and dad and we’re just talking about normal things, it’s at the back of my head. I’ve got to qualify for the Olympics.
“It’s a dream I’ve always had but now I’ve got it after working so hard. This is a day I will never ever forget.”
Orie’s European Games journey wasn’t easy, as he faced off against seasoned names like Scandinavian and Norwegian heavyweight champion Omar Shiha on his path to the semi-final.
“Respect to all my opponents,” Orie said. “They’re great and they put me to the test and that’s why it means so much to me because these guys, they’re top.
“They’ve been around for a very long time and to be able to go out there and not just mix with them but win.”
Orie has his eyes set on the gold medal bout in which he will take on Mahammad Abdullayev for a chance to become European Games champion.
“[To win gold] would mean everything to me,” Orie said. “Hard work really pays off and that’s the truth.”
Elsewhere in boxing, Rosie Eccles and Charley Davison secured unnamed Team GB women’s quota spots earlier in the week and achieved bronze medals in their final showdowns, while Kiaran MacDonald also picked up a bronze in the 51kg division.
Sportsbeat 2023