Ajagba battles Ivan Fyodorovich Dychko for medal slot

Efe Ajagba is just one win away from getting Nigeria’s first medal at the on-going Rio 2016 Olympics and his coach, Tony Konyegwachie, believes the country’s sole representative in the boxing event can achieve it by a knockout.

Ajagba showed boxing enthusiasts at the Riocentro Pavillion Six, venue of the event, that he is here for business by dispatching Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul in the very first minute of their first round clash on Saturday.

“We are going to deliver the first medal to Team Nigeria here in Rio. Ajagba is going to hit another knockout tomorrow to move into the semi final. Tell them that I said so,’’ Coach Konyegwachie said yesterday.

On the challenge posed by the London 2012 bronze medallist to Ajagba, Konyegwachie said: “I know the stuff Ajagba is made of. He has been training and he is in a killer mood. Nobody will stop him.”

Ajagba’s opponent, Dychke, who also earned a knockout to get to the quarterfinal, is not a small fry in amateur boxing, as he possesses an intimidating records.

Before coming for the Rio Games, the boxer reportedly spent two weeks training with former world heavyweight champion, Vladimir Klitschko and his team. He is 2.02m tall and also rated as number two in the +91 kg class.

However, Konyegwachie is undaunted by such statistics. He said: “There is nothing to be afraid of, Ajagba is also a tough nut to crack. Mark my words, Ajagba will deliver another knockout and get Team Nigeria its first medal.’’