By winning on points against Zambian Patrick Chienyemba, boxer David de Pina has now made history. He will become Cape Verde’s first ever Olympic medallist.
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From our special correspondent at Arena Nord,
It is a great day for Cape Verde, which leaves the unenviable circle of countries without medals. David de Pina has achieved the feat of now entering it in the book of Olympic medallists. The 600 thousand Cape Verdeans will now know the (full) name of Daniel Varela de Pina, a 27-year-old boxer with a “pon-pon” hairstyle, set to be as famous as his right hands and uppercuts.
The native of Santa Cruz qualified this Friday, August 2 for the semi-finals of the 51 kg category by beating the Zambian Patrick Chienyemba in a fight won by unanimous decision. He is therefore assured of winning at least the bronze medal. In the meantime, he is already assured of entering the legend of Cape Verdean sport.
Present by invitation in Tokyo three years ago, the native of Santa Cruz (Cape Verde) did not get through a round after having crossed paths with the reigning champion, the Uzbek Shakhobidin Zoirov, on his entry. But this experience was a trigger for Da Pina who thought about quitting boxing to work and help his family. In Tokyo, ” I was there and I realized that I could do great things. You just have to train in better conditions, and I can do it. ” he had confided before the start of the boxing tournament. This Friday, he achieved it, and Cape Verde will be eternally grateful to him.