‘Wish you were here in the corner’: Sāmoa boxer on shock loss of coach

Team Sāmoa are mourning the sudden death of their boxing coach, while trying to remain competition-ready.

Boxing team manager Lionel Fatupaito Elika died on Saturday at the Olympic Village in Paris, at the age of 60.

The loss was keenly felt by Sāmoa’s sole boxer, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, who lost his preliminary bout the following day to Belgian fighter Victor Schelstraete.

“Sāmoa, I gave it what I could honestly, it wasn’t my best, but I fought my heart out for you,” he said.

“Alofa atu and fa’afetai for all your love and support for me and most importantly showing your love to coach Lionel. Thinking of you coach, wish you were here in the corner today.”

Plodzicki-Faoagali admitted he’d considered pulling out.

"It's been hard to stay strong. I've been struggling mentally the past few days. I thought I was going to win a medal for sure, but it's been really hard mentally. I don't care about the medal right now,” he told RNZ.

"Even through these hard times, I appreciate everyone. I'm going to come back stronger and chase my dreams."

The 23-year-old, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, said there were many factors that impacted his performance.

“Losing my friend and national coach, arriving so late to acclimatise, and mentally it took its toll. As much as I wanted to pull out of the games, I did not want to let Sāmoa, coach, sponsors and family down.”

Boxers Henry Tyrell, Valentin Kondakov, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali with coach Lionel Elika. Photo/SASNOC Facebook page

According to AFP, Elika suffered a cardiac arrest while at the Olympic Village, and despite being treated by emergency services, his cause of death is listed as “natural causes”.

Sāmoa National Association of Sports and Olympic Committee (SASNOC) president Pauga Talalelei Pauga says they held a special service to farewell the coach, but they still have to focus on the job at hand.

“Everybody's affected by it, but after that service they were all calm and we've been comforted by so many messages from our friends and from the sporting community.

“We're pretty lucky to have good people around us, and we were affected pretty bad by it, but eventually we came alright at the end and the whole team is back to the norm, ready for the games.”

Pauga commended Plodzicki-Faoagali for pushing ahead with the match.

“To have an athlete to go all the way, even though the coach has [passed], while he's thinking of these people supporting him, the people from Sāmoa who are cheering for him, and he's not thinking of himself, he's thinking of everybody else supporting him, especially the people back home.”

PMN Olympics correspondent James Nokise said other Pacific teams have come together to support the Sāmoan team.

“It's the old saying, ‘sometimes we're many islands, but we're one ocean’.

“The general feeling around the camp … is that while they're sad and they're processing, they also know they've got a job to do.

“They also know that the best way to honour him is to keep going and to do the best that they can.”

The International Boxing Association issued a statement to extend “heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues” of Elika.

"Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the boxing community.

“His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, our thoughts and prayers are with Team Sāmoa and all those affected by this profound loss.”

PMN's Olympics coverage is brought to you by the Pasifika Medical Association Group.