Today, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing, but for Samoan boxing coach Lionel Erica Fatubato, he will never be able to witness this moment again, because just hours before the opening of the Games, Fatupato died suddenly at the age of 60.
According to France media, Fatubato was in his room in the Olympic Village at the time, he suddenly felt unwell, and was quickly treated by the emergency services, and was diagnosed with a heart attack, but regrettably, Fatubato died on the way to the Olympic Village hospital.
Oceania National Olympic Committee Statement: Samoa Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee have announced the death of boxing coach Lefatupato, who collapsed on the eve of the Olympic Games.
Samoa Olympic Committee President Talalele Paga said: "Fatoupato is one of Samoa's top boxing coaches and a strong believer in the Olympic ideals, and he will always be missed by people in Samoa's sports community with Fatupato's family, fighters, friends. ”
At the Paris Olympics, Samoa has only one fighter – Ato-Pločić Faogali. The 25-year-old, who will compete in the 92kg category, has won gold at the Pacific Games and is a two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist. Faogali will face Belgium fighter Victor Shestret this evening (July 28) Beijing time, and I wonder how much the sudden death of his coach will affect him?
Faogali was very sad about the loss of his coach, and he wrote through Instagram: There are no words to express how I feel at this time, rest in peace, coach Fatoupa, yesterday before you died, we had one last group photo, you are my guru.
The International Boxing Federation (IBA) wrote in a statement: "Fatubatoto's dedication and passion for the sport of boxing has left an indelible mark on the boxing world, and his legacy will inspire future generations, and we extend our condolences and prayers to the Samoan Boxing Team and all those affected by this significant loss.
Samoa is an archipelago country in the Pacific Ocean, belonging to Oceania, with a land area of less than 3,000 square kilometers, but Samoan boxing is still quite prominent in its field, the famous "Little Tyson" David Tua, who was born in Samoa, is now famous in the welterweight and heavyweight division, Jay Opetaya, Joseph Parker, all have Samoan ancestry, of which Opetaia once represented Samoa to win the first amateur world championship, he won the gold medal in the 2011 Youth Championships, And the first world professional boxing champion born in Samoa is Marcelino Marceau, who topped the WBA ordinary middleweight championship in 2004.