WINDHOEK Namibian boxers Junius Jonas and Mathias Hamunyela are back in the boxing ring again as they prepare for a boxing tournament in Azerbaijan next month and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in August.
The two amateur boxers qualified for the Olympic Games after winning gold and silver medals respectively at the African Olympic Qualification tournament in Yaounde, Cameroon in March.
Jonas won a gold medal in the 64kg welterweight category after his opponent withdrew due to injury while Hamunyela reached the 56kg bantamweight final after beating Sibusiso Bandla of South Africa in the semi finals.
Hamunyela, however, had to withdraw from the final after picking up an injury in his semi final victory, but as silver medallist he qualified for the Olympics.
Speaking to Nampa during their training session at the Soweto Boxing Academy recently, the two boxers said they are ready to do the country proud in Azerbaijan and later at the Olympics in Brazil.
“We started with fitness training three weeks ago and real training will start in the first week of May. We are currently preparing for Azerbaijan, as this will be our first tournament since we qualified for the Olympics.
“I am really looking forward to this tournament because it will give us an opportunity to fight with the European boxers who we will meet at the Olympics, ” said Jonas.
Hamunyela added that the competition in Azerbaijan is going to give him confidence on how to control the fight and what to expect when at the Olympics.
“You know we qualified to the Olympics a little bit late and most boxers from other countries have been in the gym for much longer than us, and that will give them an advantage in the ring when at the Olympics, but fighting them now will at least prepare me mentally on what to improve ahead of the games in Brazil, ” he stated.
Jonas added that despite only three months to prepare for the Olympic Games he is positive of winning silverware.
“If I do not pick up an injury before the Olympic Games I can assure you that I will come back home with a medal. I know I can do it when I step into the ring. I will just work hard to be fit while in training.
“I should also thank the Namibia National Olympic Committee for availing funds for us to prepare for the Olympics, ” said Jonas. Nampa
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