Olympics - southpaws?

[Deserter]

All four semi-finalists at welter tonight were southpaws and three of the four at light-heavy were as well. Couldn't help but pick up on it and wonder if there's any particular reason, as that's unusually high isn't it?

[JC]

There's always loads of southpaws at the top amateur tournaments.

[SAPFO]

Leading with the faster hand maybe?

[Deserter]

There's always loads of southpaws at the top amateur tournaments.

I've never seen it in this density before though - 7 out of 8 is so disproportionate. Haven't followed the other divisions as closely but you've obviousy got the likes of Lomachenko and Cammerelle as well.

[Goz]

Yes snap, I said exactly the same on Twitter a couple of hours ago. Seems like almost every fighter I've seen at the Olympics has been southpaw.

Is coaching thinking changing perhaps and more right handers going southpaw?

[Deserter]

Yes snap, I said exactly the same on Twitter a couple of hours ago. Seems like almost every fighter I've seen at the Olympics has been southpaw.

Is coaching thinking changing perhaps and more right handers going southpaw?

Glad it's not just me
I genuinely don't know why and I'm intrigued by it, as the laws of probability would dictate it shouldn't be anywhere near as prevalent. Would be good to find out how many are 'converted' southpaws rather than naturals.

[emile]

I would think countries which have serious athlete identification programs for Olympic boxers strongly favor prospective southpaws.

[lefthook82]

Noticed it at the ones i went to especially. Kept on saying it and people beside me kept looking at me wondering what the hell i was talking about probably

[JC]

There's always loads of southpaws at the top amateur tournaments.

I've never seen it in this density before though - 7 out of 8 is so disproportionate. Haven't followed the other divisions as closely but you've obviousy got the likes of Lomachenko and Cammerelle as well.

It's definitely disproportionate, but without checking I'm not sure it's that different from 2008. When you think about the finals then there was a huge proportion of southpaws (Cammarelle, Chakhkiev, DeGale, Lomachenko, Egan, etc)

[Deserter]

There's always loads of southpaws at the top amateur tournaments.

I've never seen it in this density before though - 7 out of 8 is so disproportionate. Haven't followed the other divisions as closely but you've obviousy got the likes of Lomachenko and Cammerelle as well.

It's definitely disproportionate, but without checking I'm not sure it's that different from 2008. When you think about the finals then there was a huge proportion of southpaws (Cammarelle, Chakhkiev, DeGale, Lomachenko, Egan, etc)

Yep, that's a good point actually mate. I didn't follow 08 as closely so that could be a reason

[bennie]

I'm old school - drown 'em.

[palooka]

Southpaw is the new orthodox.

[Roco]

Seems to be more and more Southpaws doing well in the Olympics. Why is this? Is there an increase in left handed people or don't orthadox boxers know how to handle Southpaws these days?

[Roco]

All four semi-finalists at welter tonight were southpaws and three of the four at light-heavy were as well. Couldn't help but pick up on it and wonder if there's any particular reason, as that's unusually high isn't it?

I have just created a thread about the exact same thing and then gone onto the next page and seen this. Glad its nnot just me who noticed.

[Scrap]

I was told in the 70s, That Cuba were the 1st to cone up, with the idea of Strong Hand leading. They seemed to be getting Better results, By the system.