Ikgopoleng Itching To Make Olympic History

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Correspondent | Monday October 15, 2007 00:00

 

After pummeling his opponent 5-0 in a one-sided affair, Ikgopoleng told Monitor Sport that he is determined to become the first boxer to represent Botswana in two Olympics.
 
'I checked the facts. No boxer has ever represented Botswana at the Olympics on two occasions. I was at the Athens Olympics in 2004. I have now been selected to compete at the World Championships, which is a qualifying event for the China Olympics. I am thrilled by the prospect of making it two in a row. I really want to break the record,' the 27-year-old said after his bout. The boxer won bronze at the All Africa Games (AAG) in Algeria this year.

He holds a physical education degree from a Cuban University, where he specialised in boxing coaching. He is confident of doing well at the World Championships. 'While I was in Cuba, I fought in tournaments that featured opponents from Venezuela and Colombia.

They improved my skills. I feel I have improved a lot while there. When I fought at the All Africa Games this year, I realised I had improved a lot. I think I am better than where I was a few years ago,' he said.

'I have never fought at the World Championships before, but I reckon it is in the same level as the Olympics. I will approach the tournament with an open mind. I am telling myself that I am going there to do my thing, I am not putting any unnecessary pressure on myself,' he said.

He feels it is important that he qualifies for the Olympics through the World Championships which will be held in Chicago, United States. He said that if he manages to secure his place at the Olympics so early, then  other Botswana boxers would have more chances to fight for qualification in the remaining qualifiers. This would increase the number of Botswana boxers at the Olympics. Ikgopoleng and Thato Batshegi leave for the US tomorrow for the World Championships under the tutelage of Healer Modiradilo.