AN OLYMPIC BOXING silver medallist says he did not even like the sport at first and then had to convince his religious parents to let him compete, as he contemplates how Rio will change his life.
Colombia’s Yurberjen Martinez was defeated by Uzbekistan’s Hasanboy Dusmatov in the light-flyweight final on Sunday, and then revealed his struggle to make it as a boxer when he started out aged 16.
“My story has been very hard because at the beginning I didn’t like the sport but I began to trust it.
“In the first place I didn’t have any support from my family because we’re from the Anglican church and they couldn’t believe that I was fighting with other guys,” he said.
“My dad talked to me and he didn’t support it at the beginning but afterwards I explained to him that I really liked it, and then he supported it.”
But money was tight, said Martinez, and life hard.
“I had a very difficult time because my parents had difficulties with finances and I had to assume all the responsibility of the family,” he said.
“Things have improved slowly and I have taken a big step with this medal. Life could change and it could change financially and personally.”
