Seychellois boxer wins gold on Olympic preparation trail in Spain

Andrique Allisop showing off his gold medal after winning the 60kg final at the Boxam tournament in Spain. (Andrique Allisop)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychellois boxer and Rio Olympics qualifier Andrique Allisop says he feels motivated after winning a gold medal at the Boxam tournament in Tenerife, Spain at the start of the weekend.

The Seychellois pugilist who booked his spot in the Rio Olympics in March defeated an opponent from Wales in the final match of his 60kg category.

“The gold medal win has really motivated me and boosted my confidence,” Allisop said to SNA through a Facebook chat at the weekend.

Allisop has been in Spain since May 2 for the competition which brought together some 40 boxers from at least 10 countries.

Training has intensified for the 22-year-old with only 87 days remaining before the Rio Olympics kicks off in August.

Before Spain, Allisop took part in another competition in Belgrade where he lost his quarterfinal match.

“So far I can say that my training is going well although I do not have a sparring partner [in Seychelles] and have to train by myself,” he said to SNA.

Allisop is back in Seychelles on Tuesday.

The Secretary General of the Seychelles Boxing Federation, Edmond Folette, says the boxer will be training locally for one or two weeks before heading for more overseas training and competitions.

“Until the end of June we will be on the lookout for every possible international competition and training camp because this is what he needs,” Folette said to SNA on Monday.

Sofia, Bulgaria , where Allisop has attended training in the past, is among international training venues being sought after by the Seychelles boxing federation.

“With the gold medal win in Spain we are starting to be satisfied because this is the type of results we were looking for,” added Folette.

Allisop is being accompanied by two Seychellois coaches, a strategy which Folette says the federation has adopted for all of the athlete’s upcoming competitions.

“Boxing has evolved and it would not be easy for one coach to see all of his strength and weak points.”

Allisop will be competing in his second Olympics after qualifying in 2012 for the London Games. He is hoping for better results that in the 2012 Olympics, where he lost his fight in the first round preliminaries.

“Of course I am aiming for a medal [this time] any colour would be a dream come true,” says Allisop.