Road to gold glory

LIMBA MUPETAMI



Commonwealth gold medallist Jonas Junias says he rarely watches boxing matches and also does not look up to any other boxer for inspiration.

Namibia's most adored amateur boxing sensation won the country's first gold medal in the 64kg light welterweight category at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Australian Gold Coast recently, where the country finished 19th overall on the medals table.

He also won gold last year at the Africa Confederation Boxing Championships and silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Grinning from ear to ear, the 24-year-old boxer, who hails from Swakopmund, touched down at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Wednesday and was welcomed by a large crowd who ululated loudly.

However, the journey to hanging a Commonwealth Games gold medal around his neck was not an easy one.

The young athlete ran into misfortune at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, when he was accused of sexually harassing a housemaid, which left him derailed from his task.

He returned home without a medal.

This time around he went to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games determined to prove a point. Jonas said he was robbed of an opportunity to scoop gold in 2016.

“This time around I showed them. I have prepared for this ever since 2016. I did it this time. I want to cry when I reflect on what they did to me in Brazil and how they robbed me of an opportunity, but this time they couldn't stop me,” an emotional Jonas said.

“I told my friends and family that I will return with the gold medal. I told everyone to just wait and see, as I try to redeem myself.”

Jonas said he did not have a game plan for his first fight at the Commonwealth Games against a Bahamian boxer.

“As I progressed I just used the boxers own fighting styles against them,” he said.

Asked if he looks up to any boxers for inspiration, Jonas said “no”.

“I have none and I also don't make it a habit to watch boxing or to watch my opponents fight. In boxing every fight is different,” Jonas emphasised.

The boxer who runs a business apart from boxing also spoke about how he used his own money to prepare for the games.

“It's not easy. I had to buy my own supplements. I think more investments should go to athletes. We need better training facilities and qualified coaches, because most of them don't give us attention.”

He also stressed that many administrators of federations forget who they are representing.

“These people take up positions through athletes, but once they take office they hardly fight for sponsorship for us to excel.”

Jonas added that he needs sponsorship to prepare and grow in the sport that he loves. His boxing compatriot Harry Simon Junior congratulated the gold medallist.

“Our country is truly blessed with talent and you are living proof. You had a lot of pressure on your shoulders and you yet again defied the odds, brother. The sky is the limit,” he said.

One of his fans, Eid Oblessing Kamboweh, also congratulated the boxer on social media.

“Well done Jonas. You made us proud. We will be expecting an Olympic medal next,” he said.

Team Namibia also joined the bandwagon and posted a congratulatory message on their Facebook page.

“This is not only for Namibia and the entire SADC region, but for the whole of Africa. What a wonderful achievement for a Namibian, home-grown boxer. Thank you for raising the Namibia flag high. Celebrate your success, keep shining and continue to inspire others with your great work,” the post said.

Jonas is trained by 55-year-old coach Albertus Tsamaseb, who runs the Albertus Tsamaseb Boxing Academy. Tsamaseb has trained him since 2003, in his garage at his residence in Swakopmund.