Josh Alston, Daily Mail Australia
Updated on 2024-07-29 01:42, 2024-07-29 01:42
- He was the only boxer on the Samoan team at the Paris Games.
- I lost an old friend and mentor just hours before the match started.
- There was no thrilling victory in the ring.
Samoan boxer Ato Prodzicki Faoagali is devastated by the death of his coach just hours before his Olympic defeat to Belgium's Victor Schelstraete, just three years after losing his mother at the Tokyo Olympics.
Prozicke Faoagali is the only Samoan boxer in Paris and recently suffered the sad news. Before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.
Lionel Erica Fatupaito, a beloved figure in Samoa sporting circles, died on Friday morning aged just 60 after going into cardiac arrest and collapsing at the Games Village. It leaves the Samoan delegation and the boxing community in deep sorrow.
The Samoa Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) announced his death and offered reassurance to the 24 athletes in the Samoa delegation as they prepare for the games.
The International Olympic Committee said Lionel's death was due to natural causes and expressed its condolences.
Two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Prozicke Faoagari paid tribute to her coach on social media.
“He was a kind and generous coach, not only with his time and material things, but also with his knowledge,” Atto wrote.
Prozicki Faoagali recalled meeting Lionel when he was 15 and undergoing a trial with the Samoa youth team.
Expressing his sadness, Ato wrote, “Coach, I will truly miss you. Rest in peace. I will miss you.”
Atto's first match at the 2024 Olympics will be against Belgium's Victor Schelstraete, just 48 hours after Lionel's death.
The weight of the defeat prevented him from recording an emotional victory as his father and the Papua New Guinea coach played in his place.
It also comes after he received the devastating news that his mother, Monica, had died while he was competing in Tokyo.
The father chose not to tell his son until he got home, fearing it would affect his son's performance.
Marist Boxing Samoa shared a message of condolence from Lionel's family and expressed their support for Ato.
“Toa le roto ato!” they wrote. Manuia le taaroga. With love from the Fatupaito family and Lionel Fatupaito.”
Reflecting on the past week, Atto said, “My friend and national team coach passed away, I arrived very late and it took a toll on me mentally.”
“As much as I wanted to withdraw from the match, I did not want to disappoint Samoa, my coaches, my sponsors or my family.”
“Samoa, I honestly tried my best. I wasn't at my best, but I fought with all my might for you!”
Supporters and fellow players paid tribute and condolences to both Atto and Lionel.
“Thank you Ato Projitki Faoagali for being a great example for our children. You have opened the doors and paths for future generations to represent Samoa,” one supporter wrote.
Another added: “Not many of us could have done what you had to do. So proud of your coach and the whole of Samoa.”
Samoa National Olympic Committee President Pauga Taralelei Pauga also paid tribute to Lionel, saying: “Lionel was one of Samoa's top boxing coaches and a strong believer in the Olympic ideals.”
The International Boxing Association agreed, saying: “Lionel's dedication and passion for the sport left an indelible mark on the world of boxing and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”
