‘You’ve left too early’: Samoan boxing coach dies just hours before opening ceremony
Samoa’s only boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali will fight through the loss of his coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito after his tragic passing just hours before the Olympic Games began.
Samoa’s only Olympic boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali will fight through tragedy after his coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito passed away in Paris just hours before the Opening Ceremony.
The much-loved Samoan boxing coach collapsed on Friday morning local time, and passed away after a cardiac arrest at the age of 60.
Two time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Plodzicki-Faoagali will now be coached by his dad at his second Olympic Games.
His first fight, against Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete comes barely 48 hours after Fatupaito’s passing.
The boxer, who was born in Sydney and spends much of his time training in Australia, left a heartfelt tribute for Fatupaito on social media.
“I first met coach Lionel when I was 15 trialling for Samoa’s Youth team,” he wrote. “He was a kind and generous coach, not only with his time, material things, but also his knowledge.
“You will be sorely missed coach, your dream was to attend an Olympics with me and dad, now you’ve left too early we haven’t had our first fight at the Olympics like we planned!
“Rest well old man, gonna miss you out there, you were the calm one and dad the storm of our corner.”
It’s the second major tournament in a row that Plodzicki-Faoagali has been met with personal tragedy after his mum passed away while he was at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
She died on the morning of his heavyweight semi-final, although the news was kept from him until after the final days later, where he lost on points to Great Britain’s Lewis Williams.
It had always been a tradition for Plodzicki-Faoagali to farewell his mum with a hug before travelling overseas for tournaments. But in 2022, he had to rush to the airport and didn’t get the chance to see her.
“I would do anything to hug you one last time Mama,” he said after she died. “I miss you forever mum, coming home and not seeing you, your home cooked meals and your beautiful smile hurts and it’s hard to take.”
Plodzicki-Faoagali, who usually fights at 92kg, put on more than 20kg after the Birmingham games, and ballooned out to 120kg.
It was only the goal of qualifying for Paris – alongside Fatupaito and his cousin, Judoka, Will Tai Tin – that inspired him to shed the weight.
“I’ve brought myself back from hell so to speak to the best shape and condition I’ve been since the Tokyo Olympics,” he wrote on Instagram two weeks ago. “Ready to give Paris a good shake!”
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for Fatupaito from all over the world.
“What a tragic news for Samoa boxing,” respected Auckland-based Tongan boxing coach Asasio ‘Master Lolo’ Heimuli wrote on Facebook.
“Their coach Lionel Fatu Elika sadly passed during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
“I’m also asking everyone to pray for the Samoa boxer, Ato PF.
“Last time he represented Samoa at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth he lost his mum during the games. Now his Samoan coach.”
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