20yr old Ghanaian boxer Samuel Takyi is exactly where no one once expected him to be.
The 20-year-old’s inclusion in the team’s preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in 2021, initially raised eyebrows.
Through grit, determination, and sheer resilience the boxer has fought against the surprise of his critics and shown his worth becoming the only hope of the nation after fellow boxers Sulemanu Tetteh and Shakul Samed eliminated.
Now he enters the medal zone at Tokyo after beating Colombian fighter David Ceiber in the Quarters
Should Takyi progress and come away with a medal, the boxing upstart would end a 29 year-long medal drought for the nation, and forever find his name alongside the greats of Ghana’s rich men’s Olympic boxing history.
Before him there was Clement Quartey, a light welterweight who won silver in Rome 1960; then there was Eddie Blay a bronze light welterweight medallist from Tokyo 1964; then the most recent medal winner: Prince Amartey, a middleweight who won the bronze in Munch 1972.
But no boxer has medalled ever since.
The expectations surrounding the man known as “The Golden Ring Warrior” is building every day.
He will be back in the ring on Tuesday when he takes on American Regan at 2:30am
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings