Dominican Boxer wins Gold

Dominican Republic boxer wins Olympic gold medal

Published on Monday, August 25, 2008
By Rubia Rodriguez
Caribbean Net News Dominican Republic correspondent


SANTO DOMINGO. Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic boxer, Felix Diaz, became the first Dominican-born boxer in history to win an Olympic gold medal and only the second Dominican boxer to win an Olympic medal after a period of 24 years. Diaz convincingly beat the Thailander Manus Boonjumnong for the gold on Saturday morning in Beijing.


Dominican Republic's Felix Diaz celebrates his Light welterweight (64 kg) gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games boxing podium. AFP PHOTO Diaz, fighting in the 64k category, counterpunched his opponent and landed well executed combinations to secure the well deserved win.

Pedro Nolasco was the first Dominican Republic boxer to win an Olympic medal when he won the bronze medal in the 1984 games held in Los Angeles, USA.

It is expected he will receive a hero’s welcome when he returns to the Dominican Republic and will be received by Dominican President Leonel Fernandez to celebrate his win.


Note from SuburbanPioneer: Perhaps this will kick boxing up a notch in Lawrence, no?

Special thanks to LS for the heads up on this.