TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Orlando boxer Omari Jones made his home state proud after clinching a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday.
Jones took home bronze in the 71 kg weight class following a closely contested bout against Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev — the reigning World Champion in the weight class.
The bout ended in a 3-2 split decision in favor of Muydinkhujaev.
According to USA Boxing, Jones was behind 3-1 on the judge’s scores heading into the third round. However, the 21-year-old didn’t give up and won the third round 4-1.
Despite his strong finish in the third round, USA Boxing said Jones needed a knockout or a 10-8 score from one of the judges to sway the decision in his favor. He ultimately fell 3-2.
Team USA sent eight boxers to the Paris Games, but Jones secured the team’s lone medal.
