Tokyo 2020 – Ghana boxing team poised to end 49-year medal drought

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It’s been 49 years since Ghana mounted the podium for a medal finish in boxing at the Olympic Games, and after Sulemanu Tetteh’s hard-earned win, it looks possible for a break of that jinx.

Ghana last showed on the boxing medal table in 1972 at the Munich Games when Prince Amartey picked a bronze medal in the middleweight (75kg) division.

Ghana’s boxing captain, Sulemanu Tetteh, who is in his second Olympic Games was strategic and ensured he struck to score rather than go with his opponent’s pace and aggression.

Tetteh who scored a 3-2 win against Marte de la Rosa Rodrigo of the Dominican Republic, dropped on his back with his knees on the ground and his face directed above. This was clearly a sign of relief especially considering his early exit from the 2012 edition of the games in London where he was dominated by Jantoni Oritz Marcano to a 20-6 result.

That experience and the will to drive a new agenda this term as well as inspire the pack of three in Ghana’s boxing team is enough motivation to go for the ultimate.

Tetteh is now looking forward to taking a big leap into the medal zone as he comes up against Veitia Yosvany of Cuba on Saturday July 31. The latter is ranked ninth by AIBA and IOC while Tetteh is number 10.