Paris 2024: Bradford-born Charlie Senior wins Olympic medal

Charlie Senior earned a bronze medal for Australia in the boxing event at the 2024 games last night.

Senior emigrated to Australia from Bradford with his family at the age of two.

Senior won two bouts at the games to reach the semi-final (Image: Peter Byrne) He picked up his adopted country’s first medal in the 57kg category at Roland Garros in Paris.

The 22-year-old – who was outpointed by 2023 IBA world featherweight champion Abdumalik Khalokov in the semi-final – has never forgotten his Yorkshire roots and wears a gumshield etched with the name of his grandfather.

Dennis died last year after losing his battle with cancer, and Senior was unable to make the trip over to England for the funeral due to the Olympic qualifiers.

The boxer was born in Bradford (Image: Peter Byrne) “He pushed me here,” said Senior.

“My grandma, Dennis’ wife Linda, is here at the moment with my parents and sister and that’s a big thing.

“I’m proud of my English roots and my family back at home, cousins, friends and everyone will definitely have been on their toes.

“I’m sure they all tuned in and were watching.”

Senior lost the semi-final on the judges scorecards (Image: Peter Byrne) Senior was beaten by Khalokov in last year’s world championship semi-final in Tashkent and the Uzbek’s speed and shot selection proved decisive again.

Khalokov was caught by a good right hand in the third round, but all five judges scored against Senior.

The two boxers delighted the crowd by doing synchronised back flips at the end of the contest – and Khalokov will now meet Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu’s for the gold medal.

Despite the disappointment, Senior still shared a backflip with his opponent (Image: Peter Byrne) “Abdumalik is a world-class opponent and to be out there with the best is amazing,” said Senior, who promised he would turn professional at some point in his career.

“Unfortunately the decision is not what I come for, but if I can entertain the crowd and put on a show then I’m happy to do so.

“I’ve come here and done things that people dream of. I’ve got the medal for the (Australia) tally, it’s not gold but maybe next time.”

Senior was born in Bradford on November 20, 2001 before moving out to Perth in Western Australia as a toddler.

It is reported he initially took up dancing before switching to boxing aged 11.

As a junior, Senior won three national youth championships before winning the Australia amateur title.

The Aussie competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosted in Birmingham, losing out at the round of 16 phase.