Tokyo Olympics: Ghana win first medal
Ghana has received its first medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics courtesy of boxer Samuel Takyi.
Takyi, who had earlier brought excitement to Ghanaians after qualifying to the semi-final in the men’s boxing featherweight division, won the country a bronze medal despite losing out on the finals.
The twenty-year-old lost his semi-final fight to American Duke Ragan, with the judges scoring the fight 4-1 in favour of the American, ending Ghana’s dream of a first-ever gold medal.
Meanwhile, Takyi’s win has ended Ghana’s 29-year wait for an Olympic medal, with the country’s last medal coming at the Barcelona 1992 games, courtesy of the under-23 national football team.
History made for #GHA!
Samuel Takyi gives Ghana their first Olympic medal since 1992, a bronze in the men’s featherweight #Boxing!@GhanaOlympic pic.twitter.com/RfAEk4QYO6
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 3, 2021
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, participants who lose semi-final bouts are awarded bronze medals, meaning Takyi will get a medal irrespective of the loss.