Despite losing in the semi-finals to America’s Duke Ragan, Ghanaian boxer Samuel Takyi earned the country’s first Olympic medalist since 1972.
The 20-year-old was defeated 4-1 by Ragan after three rounds, but it was enough to break Ghana’s 29-year medal wait.
The Olympic Games verified Takyi’s medal in a tweet, indicating that the boxer will be on the podium for the award ceremony.
Samuel Takyi began the battle against Ragan slowly, like he did in the quarterfinals against David Ceiber Avila, losing the opening round to the American fighter.
He rebounded in the second round, demonstrating incredible talents and character to win. Duke Ragan, on the other hand, came back hard in the last round to finish the Ghanaian, who had hoped to go to the final.
Despite losing the battle, he was able to depart the Olympic Games with his head held high. He is the fourth Ghanaian boxer to win an Olympic medal, following Clement Quartey in 1960, Eddie Blay in 1964, and Prince Amartey in 1972.