Bronzed boxers Caitlin Parker and Charlie Senior create history for Australia despite losses

Australia’s braveheart duo of Caitlin Parker and Charlie Senior have ensured the best performance by an Australian boxing team at an Olympic Games in more than half a century.

Australian boxer Caitlin Parker embraces her coach after losing to Qian Li in the Womens 75kg boxing semi-final at Roland-Garros. Picture: Adam Head

Courageous Caitlin Parker has captained Australian boxing to their best Olympic campaign in 64 years despite a heartbreaking semi-final loss at Roland Garros on Friday.

Parker and teammate Charlie Senior were left to savour bronze after the braveheart duo fell at the semi-final stage on a historic night for Australian boxing at the hallowed home of French tennis.

Senior was outclassed by Uzbekistan sensation Abdumalik Khalokov in the 57kg division, while Parker’s history-making campaign ended at the hands of China’s hard-hitting Qian Li in a blockbusting 75kg semi-final slugfest.

Australian boxer Charlie Senior in action against Abdumalik Khalokov in the men’s 57kg boxing at Roland-Garros. Picture: Adam Head

It was a rollercoaster nine minutes for Parker.

The Perth powerhouse was on the verge of another major boilover

after taking the first round against Li, jabbing beautifully to stun the Chinese opponent that Parker had previously lost to in 2020.

But Li held her nerve to snatch a unanimous decision, giving Parker a bloodied nose as she piled on the pressure to win the championship rounds.

Australian boxer Caitlin Parker bloodied in action against Qian Li. Picture: Adam Head

Having started this tournament with a record team of 12, the Aussie squad has now bowed out of the Paris Games.

Despite suffering a one-two knockout blow at Roland Garros, Parker and Senior ensured Australian boxing’s bronze double was their best haul since two third-placed finishes at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Parker exited Tokyo without a win and produced a superb skipper’s knock in Paris to become the first Aussie female in 100 years to win a boxing medal.

“I’m proud of myself, I said I was gonna go to war and I did,” she said.

Disappointment for Caitlin Parker, but also pride. Picture: Adam Head

“I left everything out there and the game plan didn’t go as I wanted but I’m proud of myself for having gotten where I have, making history for Australian boxing.

“I wanted that gold medal so badly and it’s been my screensaver on my phone for four years.

“I’ve worn nothing but gold.

“I truly thought I could do it but I didn’t and I’ll come back stronger.”

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Senior was equally brave but lacked the tools to compete with Khalokov, the reigning world championships gold medallist.

Australia now has seven boxing medals in their 100-year Olympic history and Senior lauded the fighting spirit of Parker and the green-and-gold squad.

Australia’s Charlie Senior was brave but unable to overcome Khalokov, leaving him with a bronze medal. Picture: Mauro Pimentel – Pool/Getty Images

“That’s pretty significant, isn’t it, from this team (to win two medals),” Senior said.

“Winning bronze is not too bad.

“To contribute to the campaign like I’ve done and Caitlin Parker, it’s unbelievable.

“To fight at Roland Garros was an amazing experience, we gave it everything we had.”