Two of Cuba's five Pan American champions Emilio Correa Bayeux (75kg) and Robert Alfonso Acea (+91kg) made successful starts to their Olympic qualification campaign as the 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament got underway in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

Boxing powerhouse Cuba, who is participating in its first Olympic qualification event after bypassing the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007, is expected to dominate this qualification event which offers 23 Beijing Olympic Games tickets for the 140 boxers from 27 countries participating.

And two of their new stars didn't disappoint with efficient performances against their Brazilian opposition. Correa Bayeux beat Yamaguchi Falcao 21-12 while Alfonso Acea beat Gidelson Oliveira 12-4.

Another Pan American champion in Pedro Lima from Brazil recorded a first-up victory with a RSC R2 win over Lucien Hewelette (DMA) in the 69kg class.

Thursday will see the debut of two twins - Oscar and Javier Molina - who are chasing Olympic qualification for two different countries. Oscar Molina will represent the birthplace of his parents Mexico when taking on Denis Thomas (GUY) in the 69kg class while later in the evening Javier will represent the family's home country USA in the 64kg against Myke Carvalho (BRA).