RIO DE JANEIRO -- Nico Hernandez was only 12 years old in 2008, when Deontay Wilder won the last Olympic medal for the United States in men’s boxing. On Wednesday, the Wichita native ensured that he’d leave Rio with a medal, too.
Nico Hernandez will medal for the U.S. in boxing but ‘won’t be satisfied until I get the gold’
Hernandez will earn the first medal for USA men’s boxing since 2008.
Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Hernandez started his run at light flyweight gold (49 kg) in Brazil with a win over Manuel Cappai and an upset victory against Vasilii Egorov. The unanimous decision win in the quarterfinals over Carlos Eduardo Quipo Pilataxi guaranteed at least a bronze medal for the 20-year-old.
“It feels great,” Hernandez said after the win. “Me and my team have been working a long time, and we finally got to the big stage. We’re coming here to change USA boxing and hopefully bring home more medals.”
Pilataxi started better in their quarterfinal bout, and Hernandez knew he had to win the last two rounds to advance in the tournament.
“They told me not to rush in and use the feints, keep my uppercuts, stay on the outside since he’s a shorter fighter,” Hernandez said of his coaches’ advice after the opening round. “That’s what I did and it worked.”
“I think that the top guys are meant to be beaten, and that’s what I’m here for, to beat them and come out with the victory. I just thank God that I’m here and thank God for my victories.”
Hernandez meets Hasanboy Dusmatov in the semifinal today, but won’t celebrate merely medaling.
“I came here to get a gold medal,” Hernandez said, and so I won’t be satisfied until I get the gold.”
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