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TOKYO (AP) — Roniel Iglesias merely gave the impression to be combating on a better degree than his opponents.
Proper by way of to his one-sided gold medal victory over British star Pat McCormack, Iglesias moved and punched his manner by way of Tokyo with a grace to which everybody else in his division may solely aspire.
A stellar Olympic efficiency by a classical Cuban boxer ended within the typical manner Tuesday night time in Tokyo: With a gold medal across the neck of a fighter from the nation that has virtually perfected newbie boxing.
Iglesias claimed his second Olympic gold and his third general medal in Tokyo, including it to his bronze from Beijing in 2008 and his championship from London in 2012, each at mild welterweight. He misplaced within the welterweight quarterfinals in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and subsequently went by way of vital damage issues, however Iglesias stated his focus by no means wavered.
“I’ve such nice emotions and feelings after successful the gold medal in London first, however then having numerous difficulties,” Iglesias stated by way of a translator. “Boxing is a really powerful sport, however I used to be in a position to overcome these difficulties and I used to be in a position to clinch this title, which is so vital to me. I believe that my self-discipline, my tenacity in coaching helped me get right here.”
Eleven days earlier than his thirty third birthday, this fighter with very good method and tenacity grew to become the seventh boxer in Olympic historical past to win gold in two weight courses.
Iglesias even joined Félix Savón, Teófilo Stevenson and Lázaro Álvarez — who gained his third bronze earlier within the night — as the one three-time boxing medalists in Cuba’s embellished historical past.
After spending half his life as a high fighter in Cuba’s tough system, and after enduring vital doubts from followers again house after he fizzled in need of a medal in Rio, Iglesias was within the temper to state his case as one in every of Cuba’s greatest.
“This places me straight up there within the highest rating, within the highest order,” he stated. “I believe this speaks for itself and exhibits how a lot I really like the game. … Those that all the time doubted that I may obtain the Olympic pinnacle, that was an additional push from me to rise up each morning and provides it that further little bit of effort and obtain this outcome.”
One factor concerning the Cuban group has modified in the course of the previous two Olympics: Its boxers at the moment are allowed to talk at size with Western reporters, and so they’ve been invariably charming and considerate.
Fears of defection or corruption prompted the Cuban group to maintain tight management of its Olympics boxers for many years, however the present teaching employees is extra taken with ensuring the world is aware of about its fighters’ skills.
Iglesias’ polish and magnificence evoked reminiscences of his nation’s wealthy historical past, and Iglesias clearly cherishes his place in these annals. He actually doesn’t look like a candidate to move to the U.S. for a professional profession. He confirmed he intends to struggle on for Cuba, aiming for a shot at a 3rd gold medal in Paris three years from now.
“I’ll attempt to see how my physique reacts whereas I put together, after which I’m wanting towards Paris,” Iglesias stated. “I’ll all the time attempt to obtain the targets I set out for myself.”
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Extra AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2020-tokyo-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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