Boxers from Great Britain, the United States, Germany, Thailand, India and another 14 countries are expected in Rio for the International Boxing Tournament, to be held at Riocentro Pavilion 4 from Friday to Sunday (4-6 December) as part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games test events programme.

For several athletes, the test event is a chance to prove something. In the case of Gidelson Silva de Oliveira, in the over 91kg category, that means an opportunity to become a part of the Brazilian national team.  

"For me, it’s much more than a test event, it’s my life"

Gidelson de Oliveira

Japanese boxers also tested the venue ahead of the competition (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
 

After the London 2012 Games, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) decided to test the idea of having boxing matches without head protectors, with the new approach put into practice at the 2013 World Championships, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In November 2014, AIBA released a study of over 30,000 fights which suggested greater tendency towards brain injury when a head protector was worn, and the initially temporary measure became obligatory for 2015 and 2016. At the moment, the measure is only applicable to men over 18 years of age.

AIBA is still awaiting the results of scientific studies to publish the final decision, which will apply to all weights and ages, for men and women. For this reason, women competitors will still use head protectors at the Riocentro test event, as well as breast protectors. Men will use groin protectors called a box. 

"The mouth guard actually protects the brain more than the teeth"

José Inácio Fossati, Rio 2016 boxing specialist

Mouth guards are also necessary for all boxers. “They serve as blow absorbers,” explained Argentinian José Inácio Fossati, Rio 2016 boxing specialist. Head protectors are used more to avoid cuts, he said. “It doesn’t make that much difference, in the case of blows. And those who are against the use of head protectors even argue that they limit peripheral vision, which hinders the ability to dodge your opponent’s offence.”

Bandages for hand protection as well as 40 pairs of blue and 40 pairs of red gloves, from 10 to 12 ounces (the lighter the glove, the more impact they have: as such, -49kg and -64kg use 10-ounce gloves; -69kg and over 91kg use 12-ounce gloves), will be available for all athletes coming to Riocentro.

In the warm-up areas of the venue there will be 18 punch-bags, in different sizes, three speed bags and training rings.

Breno Pontes, the Rio 2016 boxing manager, said that the results system, medical services, anti-doping, sporting equipment, crowd flows and the work of volunteers will be tested at the Riocentro test event.