Sofiane Oumiha at the Paris 2024 Olympics: five things to know about the Toulouse boxer, silver medalist in the lightweight category

His history with the Olympic Games, the birth of his son, the direction of his career in the future… Discover five things to know about Sofiane Oumiha, who enters the boxing tournament this Saturday, July 27.

Silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sofiane Oumiha is obviously aiming for more in Paris.

1 – He has a troubled history with the Olympic Games

Sofiane Oumiha revealed himself to the general public at the 2016 Rio Olympics, thanks to a silver medal. "Rio makes me go from the shadows to the light, but in sporting terms, I won a silver medal so it's not a very good memory", he explains. At the Tokyo Games, the Toulouse native experienced a huge disappointment after his elimination in the round of 16 following an arbitration decision. A bitter memory.

2 – He attended the birth of his son via FaceTime from Japan

It was during these same Olympic Games in Tokyo that his son showed up. While in the middle of preparation, the Frenchman was unable to attend. But little Kâmil still remembers it today. "We put a circumflex accent on the "a" in his first name, to recall Japan", confides Sofiane Oumiha.

3 – He comes from the world of amateur boxing

The world of boxing is divided between professional and amateur. The first of them suffers from a cruel lack of means in France. Few boxers can live in their sport, but Sofiane Oumiha, he keeps the flame alive, motivated by his Olympic dream.

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4 – He could have been a rugby player

The Frenchman chose boxing, but also played rugby at the same time. By chaining the fights, he had to make a choice, but still maintains a link with the world of ovalism through his passion for Stade Toulousain.

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5 – He is aiming for a professional career after the Olympic Games

For Sofiane Oumiha, an Olympic medal would mean a gateway to the professional world. In any case, that’s his wish. The Frenchman would like to put the necessary resources into his career to allow himself to compete with the best professionals, even if the two approaches to boxing are radically opposed.