Ghana’s featherweight boxer Samuel Takyi is guaranteed an Olympic medal, the first for a Ghanaian Olympian since 1992.
This feat was achieved after the 20 year old beat Colombia’s 32-year-old David Ceiber Avila, an experienced fighter in the quarter-final stage, at the Kokugikan Arena on Sunday August 1, 2021.
The Black Bomber, got out to a bad start, but he fought well in the second round, displaying excellent technique and applying persistent pressure to win the fight in a split 3-2 decision in the men’s featherweight division in boxing at the 2020 Olympic Games.
The Ghanaian contingent in the stands visibly celebrated after the youngster won the fight to set up a semifinal clash with Ragan Duke, who also triumphed over Irish boxer Kurt Walker in his quarter-final bout.
In boxing at the Olympics, a losing semifinalist gets a bronze medal which implies, the Ghanaian youngster is guaranteed at a least a bronze medal regardless of the outcome of his semifinal showdown on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
His achievement at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is also the first boxing medal for Ghana since middleweight Prince Amarteytook the bronze in Munch 1972.
Takyi has joined Ghanaian Olympic greats Eddie Blay a bronze light welterweight medalist from Tokyo 1964, Clement Quartey, a light welterweight who won silver in Rome 1960, and Prince Amartey who made history in Munch 1972.
Source: Stephen Afful/NSA