Morocco ’s U19 boxing team won four bronze medals at the World Boxing U19 Championships, held from 8 to 15 March in Bangkok, Thailand.
The medals were won by Marouane Jaafari in the 70kg class, Mohamed Ouahbi in the +91kg class, Rihab Hamdoune in the women’s 51kg class, and Aya Sebai in the women’s 65kg class.
The tournament was organised by World Boxing, the sport’s new global body. The results are Morocco’s first major medals since the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation joined the organisation.
More than 450 young boxers from 78 countries took part in the event at the Indoor Stadium Huamark. Fighters competed in 10 weight classes for both men and women.
Morocco’s team was led by Cuban coach Juan Carlos Ferrer. He was assisted by Najim Abdellaoui, Yassine Mechhabi, and Zahra Zahraoui, with Mustapha Abissa working as fitness trainer.
Moroccan boxing has had recent success at world level. In 2023, Khadija El Mardi became the first Moroccan, African and Arab woman to win gold at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.
The youth results could also help Morocco prepare for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics, which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, for the first time in Africa.
