Why are there two bronze medals awarded in Olympic boxing?
IT’S getting to the business end of the Olympic boxing in Tokyo.
A chance for up-and-coming fighters to announce themselves on the world scene, Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce are just two British heavyweights who have used the Games as a springboard in recent years.
But you may have noticed that unlike in most events, there are TWO bronze medals given out in Olympic boxing.
Why are there two bronze medalists in Olympic boxing?
Handing out two bronze medals is actually more common than you think and is the norm for many of the combat sports at the Olympics.
Sports such as a football, badminton and hockey all have a bronze-medal playoff after going through a knockout format.
Boxing though is different – there is no bronze medal match.
The four fighters who reach the semi-final are therefore guaranteed a medal.
Those who win the semis will progress to the gold medal bout, while the two losers both share the bronze.
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Team GB’s Ben Whittaker has already assured himself a medal after winning his light-heavyweight quarter final.
And he was delighted to already be on the podium – but wants to turn that bronze into a gold.
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He said: “I’ve pushed through that first door now. What I need to do now is start changing that colour.
“Bronze is a lovely colour but everyone wants that gold.”