Ghanaian boxer, Samuel Takyi, has won bronze in the men’s boxing featherweight division at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics after he lost his semi-final fight to American Duke Ragan.
By winning bronze, the twenty-year old ended Ghana’s 29 year wait for an Olympic medal, with the country’s last medal coming at the Barcelona 1992 games.
The medal is also the fourth at the games for Ghana in the boxing event, with Takyi joining the illustrious group of Clement Quartey – 1960- Silver, Eddie Blay – 1964- Bronze and Prince Amartey – 1972 – Bronze, as the only men to ever win Ghana an individual Olympic medal.
In boxing at the Olympics, both losing semi finals are awarded bronze medals, meaning Takyi will get a medal irrespective of the outcome of his semi final fight.
Takyi started slowly, compared to the American who won the first round.
The Ghanaian, just like in his quarter final fight against Colombian Avila Sagura, rallied back in the second round but the Ghanaian was caught multiple times by Ragan in a brawly 3rd round where neither boxer dominated.
The judges scored the fight 4-1 in favor of the American, ending Takyi’s and Ghana’s dream of a first ever gold medal, but ultimately still a fairytale journey for the boy from Atukpai, in Accra.