Bombers captain Joshua Tukamuhebwa continued his impressive run towards Paris Olympics dream after securing a place in the round of 16 at the ongoing Boxing Olympics Qualifiers in Italy.

Tukamuhebwa’s latest victory came on Thursday as he outclassed Romanian Robert Jitaru, winning the bout on points with a score of 4-1 in the Men’s 63.5kgs category.

This triumph not only keeps Tukamuhebwa’s dream of competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics alive but also marks another significant milestone in his journey through the qualifiers.

Prior to his victory over Jitaru, Tukamuhebwa showcased his prowess in the ring by securing a commanding win against Guatemala’s Garcia Edgar, with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision at the round of 64.

With two victories under his belt, Tukamuhebwa now stands just two wins away from reaching the semifinals, which is enough to secure his qualification for the Paris Olympics.

However, his path to glory will not be without challenges. In the upcoming round of 16, scheduled for Saturday, Tukamuhebwa is set to face off against Jordanian boxer Obada Alkasbeh who beat Brazilian Yuri Falcao 5-0 on points.

Alkasbeh, aged 29, previously competed in the men’s light welterweight division at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, bringing a wealth of experience to the ring.

Tukamuhebwa’s progress in the competition is particularly notable as he is one of only two Bombers still standing at these qualifiers in Italy.

The Ugandan contingent of four started with Shafic Mawanda losing his bout due to arriving late at the arena, and Yusuf Nkobeza suffering defeat against Romanian Paul Andrei Aradoaei.

Meanwhile, Emily Nakalema, competing in the Women’s 66kg division, will be stepping in the ring for the first time on Friday.

Nakalema received a bye in the first preliminary round and is set to face Moreira Ivanusa of Cape Verde on Friday, March 8.