Korea's Im Ae-ji takes bronze in women's bantamweight

Korean boxer Im Ae-ji took bronze in the women’s bantamweight on Sunday, narrowly missing out on a shot at gold after losing 3-2 to Hatice Akbas of Turkey in the semifinals.

Turkey's Hatice Akbas, right, fights Korea's Im Ae-ji in a women's 54-kilogram semifinal boxing match in Paris on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Korean boxer Im Ae-ji took bronze in the women’s bantamweight on Sunday, narrowly missing out on a shot at gold after losing 3-2 to Hatice Akbas of Turkey in the semifinals.

It was a tight fight at the North Paris Arena in Paris, every round ending in a split decision with Im trailing slightly each time. Im’s fast footwork and even faster hands gave her the edge at times, but Akbas ultimately held on with more power and cleaner punches to take the title.

But a semifinal loss in boxing still secures Im a medal, with both semifinal losers taking bronze in boxing. Im will share that podium with Pang Chol-mi of North Korea.

Akbas progresses to the gold medal match, where she will face Chang Yuan of China.

Im’s bronze is Korea’s sole boxing medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the country’s first since London 2012. Im finished in ninth place in the featherweight competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]