The Olympics came to a close Sunday, capping two weeks of sports drama and controversy – yet their legacy will live on beyond Tokyo.
Legacy projects also include areas that hosted Olympic training camps that have since evolved into sporting hubs – for instance Morioka in Iwate Prefecture hosted a climbing world cup and now regularly hosts youth events.
Turkey’s First Boxing Gold
Busenaz Surmeneli made history at the Olympics by winning Turkey its inaugural gold in women’s welterweight boxing, defeating China’s Gu Hong to become inaugural winner of Kokugikan Arena’s new women’s division. Oshae Jones of United States and Lovlina Borgohain from India also captured bronze medals to represent their countries.
Cakiroglu put up an admirable fight against Krasteva but couldn’t overcome her experienced opponent in three rounds. Krasteva used this advantage to maintain her lead throughout.
Eyup Gozgen, President of the Turkish Boxing Federation, expressed confidence that boxing will remain part of the Olympic program. He highlighted institutions’ and government’s dedication in supporting boxers and encouraging their success, and pledged his efforts toward improving results at Paris 2024 – hoping that his nation would produce two or more gold medalists at those Games.
Turkey’s First Boxing Silver
Turkey’s Busenaz Surmeneli defeated Russian Albina Moldazhanova with a convincing 5-0 win to claim her maiden Olympic medal – having already claimed two European golds as an under-16 athlete. Ever since she was young, Surmeneli dreamt of winning an Olympic medal; as soon as it happened she received numerous congratulatory messages, including from Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak.
Bulgaria’s Stoyka Krasteva won the women’s flyweight championship by dominating Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu throughout a dominant performance. Cakiroglu had no answer for Krasteva and could do nothing about her offensive ability.
China’s Gu Hong secured the women’s welterweight championship after an intense final, but Surmeneli stole the show with an electrifying second-round performance that earned her world champion status. She gave an emphatic cheer upon victory while promising her late grandfather that they made him proud.
Turkey’s First Boxing Bronze
On the final competition day in Tokyo, Turkish boxer Busenaz Surmeneli won Turkey’s inaugural bronze medal at an Olympics by defeating Colombia’s Ingrit Valencia in the women’s light flyweight final. She displayed patience as she patiently waited for optimal opportunities to counterattack Valencia who frequently missed punches; her strategy ultimately paid off as Valencia missed more often.
Surmeneli took three rounds and won by split decision after engaging in some tight holding tactics during a battle-filled bout. She was docked a point early in round two but remained unshakable against her opponent.
Turkish athletes also earned bronze, such as Hatice Akbas (women’s bantamweight), Esra Yildiz Kahraman (women’s lightweight) and Gizem Ozer (women’s welterweight). Lovlina Borgohain from India achieved her nation’s inaugural Olympic medal by taking gold in women’s welterweight boxing event.
Turkey’s First Boxing Final
Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey won her nation’s inaugural Olympic boxing gold medal with an exhilarating women’s welterweight final win against China’s Gu Hong. Surmeneli trailed early but rallied powerful hooks and incredible defensive skills into an unexpected comeback victory that earned her the second round yell she promised her late grandfather: this medal had finally come home!
Galal Yafai of Great Britain won flyweight gold to place her country second on the medal table and Bulgaria’s Stoyka Krasteva was two-time runner-up at world championships and used her experience to defeat Cakiroglu who was 10 years her junior.
Moldova’s Anastasia Nichita won gold in wrestling, while judoka Denis Vieru of Moldova brought home bronze for their country. Since the IOC is cutting ties with its previous governing body, wrestling could potentially drop off of Olympic lineup prior to 2024 in Los Angeles; but even so there may still be medals awarded in team sports and men’s wrestling competition.