It’s a silver for rising star of Samoan boxing

14 April 2018, 12:00AM

Samoan boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali has had to settle for a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Faoagali lost on points in the men's 81kg final to Sammy Lee of Wales. 

His heroics take Samoa’s final medal tally to five, two gold and three silver medals. It means Team Samoa finishes the Commonwealth Games as the top ranked Pacific nation.

"I knew it was going to be tough - he's a very good opponent," Faoagali told Vinnie Wylie of Radio New Zealand. 

"He won gold last year at Youth Commonwealth (games) - I won bronze but never faced him. Awesome experience man - I'm still young, still hungry, I'll come back stronger."

Faoagali said his chances in the final weren't helped when he was deducted points for holding his opponent but said he will learn from his Commonwealth Games experience.

"It was a great campaign. I had four tough fights: all respect to all my opponents that I fought, even today," he said.

"I'm just taking everything in because I'm still young. It's an amazing experience even just to get silver. It would have been nice to get gold but it is what it is."

14 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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