Elika Fatupaito passed away on Friday at the Olympic village, as confirmed by official sources.
According to the Associated Press, Elika Fatupaito’s death was due to natural causes on July 26. Both the International Boxing Association and Olympian Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali have confirmed this unfortunate news.
“I’m at a loss for words, but rest in peace, Coach Lionel,” Plodzicki-Faoagali, 25, shared on his Instagram story. “Here’s our last photo together before you left us yesterday, Grand Master.”
Plodzicki-Faoagali also posted a tribute to his coach on Facebook, saying, “I first met Coach Lionel at 15 while trying out for Samoa’s Youth team. He was incredibly generous with his time, resources, and knowledge. Your absence will be deeply felt, Coach. You dreamed of attending the Olympics with me and Dad, but you left us too soon. We never got to have our first Olympic match together as we had planned.”
He continued, “Rest well, old man. I’m going to miss you out there. You were the calm presence, while Dad was the storm in our corner.”
Elika Fatupaito played a crucial role for the Samoan team, coaching Plodzicki-Faoagali, who is set to compete for Samoa in boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This will be Plodzicki-Faoagali’s second appearance at the Olympics, and he is a strong contender in the 92-kg category, beginning his competition this Sunday.
The International Boxing Association also offered their condolences, stating, “Lionel’s commitment and enthusiasm for boxing have made a lasting impact on the sport. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts are with Team Samoa and all who are affected by this great loss.”
For updates on the Paris Games, keep an eye on ongoing coverage. Sign up for our Olympics newsletter, Going for Gold, to get the latest stories. The Paris Olympics and Paralympics will be broadcast starting July 26 on NBC and Peacock.
Leave a Reply