Paris Olympic Games: No automatic place for bronze medalist Samuel Takyi
The trainer of the national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, has given a clear indication that no boxer would be given preferential treatment in team selection for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
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Coach Kwasi Ofori Asare told Graphic Sports that any boxer who wanted to participate in Paris 2024 must earn a spot in the Bombers team through National Individual Championships.
He explained that deserving fighters would be given equal opportunities to earn their slots to represent Ghana at the Olympics rather than focusing on particular boxers.
“You cannot say that you are just going to allow a particular boxer to get a slot in the team without offering all boxers the opportunity to earn their place.
“I am open to giving every deserving fighter the chance to prove himself by beating an opponent and not just getting a walkover,” Coach Asare told Graphic Sports.
Coach Asare’s comments come in the wake of Olympic bronze medalist Samuel Takyi’s decision to represent Team Ghana at Paris 2024 despite turning pro last year.
Takyi believes he has what it takes to improve on his bronze medal feat in Tokyo four years ago when he gets the opportunity to fight in Paris next year.
When asked whether Takyi would be allowed to participate in the Paris Games, Coach Asare said it would be unfair to overlook other promising boxers such as Joseph Commey, Abraham Mensah, and Abdul Wahid Omar who won medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year.
The experienced trainer, who guided Takyi to win an Olympic medal two years ago, said the boxer would have to contend with Commey for a lightweight spot in the team when the National Individual Championship takes place if Takyi wants to stand a chance at qualifying for a second Olympic appearance in 2024.
“Takyi has a track record and no one disputes that but we had other boxers replacing him when he decided to turn pro and they won medals at the Commonwealth Games.
“So I don’t think it will be fair to just overlook them and give Takyi a walkover just because of experience. He has to beat whoever is in his division, especially Joseph Commey,” said the coach.
