It’s been a pretty solid start for Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Through the opening weekend, Canadians have combined for five medals, good for ninth on the world leaderboard. What’s more, the nation has also earned two gold medals, coming from Christa Deguchi in Judo, and a dominant race by Summer McIntosh in the 400-metre individual swimming medley. Needless to say, Canada’s women have been at the forefront of our success so far.
On Wednesday, that push will continue through the gloves of Tammara Thibeault, one of Canada’s top candidates for adding more gold to the trophy case.
Thibeault’s journey is fascinating in the sense that her sport, women’s boxing, wasn’t introduced to the Games until she was already 12 years old, giving her a somewhat rapid on-ramp to chasing the dream. But she was already several years into learning the sport, following in the footsteps of her father, Patrick, who was actually a CFL wide receiver by trade, but she boxed to train in the offseason.
The event took place for the first time at London 2012. By Tokyo 2020, Tammara was in the mix, fighting her way to the quarterfinals in her debut. Two years later, she was a world champion, and now she has an opportunity to affirm her dominance on the biggest stage.
| Boxer | bet365 | Northstar | Boxer | bet365 | Northstar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tammara Thibeault (CAN) | +125 | +100 | Cindy Ngamba (CAM) | +1400 | +1000 |
| Li Qian (CHN) | +400 | +400 | Khadija Mardi (MAR) | +1400 | +1000 |
| Aoife O’Rourke (IRL) | +600 | +600 | Lovina Borgohain (IND) | +1400 | +2000 |
| Caitlin Parker (AUS) | +1200 | +1300 | Davina Michel (FRA) | +1600 | +3000 |
Thibeault’s toughest competition is expected to come from Li Qian of China and Aoife O’Rourke of Ireland, with reigning world champion Khadija Mardi also in the mix. Thibeault isn’t the only boxer representing Canada – Wyatt Sanford will be competing in the men’s 63.5kg category, though he’s a distant fifth in projected odds (+1600, NorthStar).
The 75kg women’s boxing event will begin on Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. ET, with eight Round of 16 matchups. Thibeault’s bout against Cindy Ngamba of Cameroon is scheduled for 11:06 a.m.. Should she live up to her expectations, she’ll then move on to the quarterfinals on Sunday, the semi-finals next Thursday, and the final next Saturday.
