This Wednesday, Erislandy Álvarez gave Cuba the only gold medal in boxing at these Olympic Games after defeating Frenchman Sofiane Oumiha in the final of 63.5 kg. The Cuban started confidently and won 5-0 in the first round, but Oumiha recovered and won 3-2 in the second round, so the fight was decided in the last round. “The Viking” spoke to the press after his victory.
What are your impressions after the promised championship title?
Erislandy Álvarez: First of all, I want to thank God and dedicate this medal to my grandmother. May she rest in peace. She died the day I qualified for these Olympic Games in Thailand. I want to dedicate this great fight to her.
How did you experience this fight? It was a fight in which both gave their best.
Erislandy Álvarez: Yes, he was a tough opponent, he beat me at the 2023 World Championships, and in 2024, a year and a half passed and a lot changed in me and I had a great positive attitude, I just went out there to give it my all, to have fun, to dance, to put on a show.
What was the difference between this fight and the other one?
Erislandy Álvarez: A big, big difference. In the other tournament I was a rookie, I was in a final for the first time, this is the third time I’m in a final. I’ve always won the silver medal. I can’t take the silver medal anymore, I have to win the gold medal, that’s what I want, that’s what I want for the Cubans. And we have it.
What did it mean to me to compete here at Roland Garros? All the people, the energy, a mythical stage for this sport.
Erislandy Álvarez: I didn’t know that this was one of the biggest tennis stages in the world. And (when I found out) I just thought: Wow. And now I’m here and I’m going to put on a show for the people, the people of France, so that they can see that Cuba is here and that we Cubans dance, have fun and enjoy the fight.
What does the Viking Cienfuegos have to say?
Erislandy Álvarez: I think they are celebrating now in Cienfuegos, Cuba is celebrating. I think they are celebrating.
Was the idea of fighting so aggressively from the first round a planned strategy?
Erislandy Álvarez: The strategy was always to play smart and aggressive. I was ahead in the first round, but when they said 5-0 I thought I was behind. In the second round we wanted to give it our all and then they told me 3-2 and I thought I had won. I said to myself, well, in the last round I have to give it my all. So everything was the other way round!
