Montreal boxer Marie Alahmadieh departs Olympic qualifying event due to health issues

Canadian boxer Marie Alahmadieh has withdrawn from a last-ditch Olympic qualifier due to “unforeseen health-related issues,” according to Boxing Canada.

The 19-year-old from Montreal, a silver medallist at the 2023 AMBC American Continental Championships, was slated to meet Sierra Leone’s Josefien Betist on Thursday in a Round of 16 bout in the women’s 57-kilogram division.

“Marie has been an integral part of our team, and her dedication to her craft is commendable,” Kraig Devlin, Boxing Canada’s high performance director, said in a statement. “However, in light of recent health-related concerns, it was deemed necessary to withdraw her from the competition to ensure her well-being.

“We stand by Marie’s decision to prioritize her health and we offer her our full support during this time.”

Alahmadieh is the second Canadian team member to exit without fighting at Haumark Stadium. Victor Tremblay failed to make weight for his first fight in the 57 kg bracket.

Nine Canadians entered the Bangkok tournament trying to fight their way into this summer’s Olympic field. Three are left.

Sara Kali, a 32-year-old from Montreal, faces Cape Verde’s Ivanusa (Nancy) Moreira on Friday in Round of 8 action in the women’s 66 kg class.

Mckenzie Wright, a 33-year-old from St. Davids, Ont., meets Argentina’s Aldana Florencia Lopez on Friday in a Round of 16 bout in the women’s 50 kg division. The Argentine won a bronze medal at the 2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

Scarlett Delgado, 28-year-old from Brampton, Ont., faces Enkhjargal Munguntsetseg in a Round of 8 54-kg bout Saturday. The 25-year-old Mongolian was a bronze medallist at the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

Canadians Terris Smith, Junior Petanqui, Keven Beausejour and Doni Foreman have already lost.

The Bangkok qualifier, which runs through Monday, will determine the final 51 quota places (23 for women and 28 for men) for the Paris Games this summer.