HAVING experienced a fair share of ups and downs over the years, national boxer Fuad Redzuan is now eyeing a fresh start and qualification for the Tokyo Olympics early next year.
Fuad’s title defence at the recent Philippines Sea Games in the men’s Under-49kg came to an end in the semi-finals, when he lost by judges decision to home crowd favourite and eventual winner Carlo Paalam.
The 28-year-old immediately announced after the fight that he will be moving up to the 52kg class in his bid to qualify for the Olympics.
The 49kg category will not be contested in Tokyo next year. The 52kg class will be the lightest class in the men’s competition.
The continental Olympic qualifiers for the Asian/Oceania region will be held in Wuhan on Feb 3-14.
Six qualifying slots will be available in the men’s 52kg division.
“The focus now is to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers in February,” said Fuad.
“They will take the top-six boxers from the competition, but to be safe I need to make the semi-finals (top four) to be sure of a place.”
Fuad added: “The 49kg class is not in the Olympics this time but even if it was, I would have still moved up to the 52kg category.
“I feel it is time for a change after 10 years in the same weight class.
“I have been at 49kg for too long now. Sometimes a change of strategy can
freshen things up but if that does not
work, a change in weight category is the answer.”
Qualifying for Tokyo will be a tall order by any means. No Malaysian boxer has qualified for the Olympics since Sapok Biki (1996 Atlanta).