Lightweight (≤60 kilograms), Men

Robson Conceição was the great Brazilian hope for boxing success at the Rio Olympic Games. A former Pan-American Games champion and two time world medallist, he had been to the Games of Beijing and London but lost his first bout on both occasions to a boxer fighting in front of his home crowd. 2016 meant that Conceição was now the home fighter and he took full advantage. After defeating a pair of Central Asian fighters in his first two bouts he survived a torrid encounter with Cuba’s Lázaro Álvarez to reach the Olympic final. His opponent would be Sofiane Oumiha of France.

Drawing inspiration from a rowdy home crowd, the Brazilian won the first two rounds of the contest with an elusive style of defence mixed with aggressive counter attacks. The Frenchman was more successful in the final round but it was too late and Conceição became the first ever Olympic boxing champion from Brazil.

Conceição was born in a poor neighbourhood in the city of Salvador and helped out on his family’s vegetable stall before becoming a boxer. He married fellow Olympic boxer Erica Matos in 2013 and their two-year-old daughter was present at the venue when he won his title.

Although he lost his bout in the round of sixteen, Thailand’s Amnat Ruenroeng made history in Rio. He was the first boxer to win a world professional title prior to appearing at the Olympics.