Boxer Marion still a champ to Samoa: family

By Vaelei Von Dincklage 29 July 2021, 4:00AM

Samoan boxer Marion Faustino Ah Tong's Tokyo Olympic medal hopes may have ended but the country and his family still consider him a champion.

The 21-year-old had an unsuccessful start in Tokyo after he got eliminated by points with the score 5-0 against his more quicker Zambian opponent and boxer Stephen Zimba.

They were fighting in the Men’s Welter 63-69 kgs at Kokugikan Arena on the weekend. This was Marion’s first opponent which would have determine whether he will make it to the next level of the competition or not, unfortunately he lost his first attempt by 5 points.

Marion's official Facebook page had a message to thank everyone who supported his journey from the start until the Olympics.

"Thank you to family, friends, partners, and the whole of Samoa for your support for our son Tino. Unfortunately Tino got eliminated last night by points after his preliminary fight against the Zambian champion," the message read.

It wasn't an easy encounter for Marion, however he survived each rounds unfortunately the points were not on his side.

His older sister, Audrey Pina Ah Tong-Liti, also sent a message of encouragement to her younger brother, after a tough fight on Saturday night.

"I leave you with one of my favourite Japanese proverbs about daruma dolls: 'Fall down seven times, get up eight' (Nana korobi ya oki)," she wrote.

"Meaning while you are sure to face failure along the way to your goal, you must continue to get up and keep trying. It may take a long time to eventually achieve it, but if you are patient, resilient and persistent to keep trying, you will get there ultimately. So, you must always get up more than you fall down.

Marion will return to Australia when he resides with his family after the Tokyo Olympics is done. A message of encouragement which was sent out on social media after he lost to the Zambian fighter, states that he is still a champion in the eyes of Samoa.

Three of Samoa's Olympians has started their journey for a medal with Samoa's Eroni Leilua who is currently competing in the sailing sport, Peniamina Percival who fought on Tuesday and Samoa's other boxer, Ato Plodzicki-Faogali took on Uladzislau Smiahlikau of Belarus on Tuesday night and lost.

Samoa has seven remaining athletes to compete in the hopes of receiving a medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. They are Eroni Leilua, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, Alex Rose, Annie Cairns, Peniamina Percival, Tuva'a Clifton, and Rudolf Williams.

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Boxing
By Vaelei Von Dincklage 29 July 2021, 4:00AM
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