LONDON - Five French boxers, including two times Olympic medallist Jerome Thomas, have qualified for the Beijing Games at a European tournament in Athens.
Flyweight Thomas, who won a bronze in 2000 and a silver four years later, beat Derenik Chizhlaryan of Armenia 19-8 on points to reach the final at the second and last European qualifier.
"That's his response to those who thought he was finished, that he wouldn't make the weight," said head coach Dominique Nato. "He knows how to react on the big occasions."
Both finalists in each weight at the tournament that finished on Saturday qualified for the Aug 8-24 Beijing Games, as did the bronze medallists in three weights.
The most impressive performance by a Frenchman came from Jaoid Chiguer who beat 2006 European welterweight champion, Andrey Balanov of Russia, 24-16 in his semi-final.
"Jaoid took his opponent by the throat," said Nato. "That was the best performance of the day if not the tournament."
Three boxers from Ireland also qualified with middleweight Darren Sutherland the only boxer to force an early end to his semi-final on Friday.
His bout against Victor Cotiujanschii was stopped in the third round because the Molodovan had a facial injury.
Team captain Ken Egan, at light-heavyweight, and John Joe Joyce, at light-welterweight, also qualified and Ireland will now take five boxers to Beijing.
France will take nine fighters and Britain eight to China after David Price reached the super-heavyweight final by beating Cristian Ciocan of Romania 15-6 on points.
Around 250 of the 286 boxers bound for Beijing have now qualified with only two tournaments, for boxers in Oceania and the Americas, remaining.
