Tokyo 2020 - 'It's like a dream' - Galal Yafai reacts to being one win away from claiming gold medal for GB

ByCoral Barry

Published 05/08/2021 at 07:33 GMT

Galal Yafai says it is a dream come true to reach the final of the flyweight division at Tokyo 2020. The Birmingham native comes from a boxing family with two brothers in the pro ranks. “I've always dreamed about this, we would talk about it at home me and my brothers," he said. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.

Team GB’s Galal Yafai says it is a dream come true to reach the Olympic final in the flyweight division.

The 28-year-old came through a ferocious battle with Kazakhstan's Saken Bibossinov in the semi-final, winning a split decision 3:2.

Yafai will take on Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the final and the Birmingham native cannot wait for Saturday’s showdown.

Tokyo 2020

Gold medallist Price crowned Olympian of the Year

27/10/2021 at 17:39

“It's ridiculous, I can't believe it, it's like a dream,” Yafai told the BBC after his win.

I've always looked to be in an Olympic final and now I'm in one - I've just got one more hurdle to go over and that's to beat the Philippine to win gold.

“I've always dreamed about this, we would talk about it at home me and my brothers and now I'm here with them all watching me at home, my brothers, my mum.

'Nothing he could do' - Whittaker falls just short in final to take boxing silver

"The whole world watching me now in the Olympic final and I've just got to deliver the goods and take that gold medal back home.

“We're a close knit team and support each other, we've got six medals now and it shows how good GB boxing is. All the support from back home - it's great.

• Daley shows off end product of knitting
• Rutherford: Fairytale possible after new GB record set in 4x100m

“Now I will rest and look forward to having fun in the final.”

Yafai is guaranteed at least a silver medal, but will want to be GB’s first gold medallist in the ring after Ben Whittaker stumbled at the final hurdle in the light heavyweight final on Wednesday.

Team GB Boxing has won a record six medals at Tokyo 2020 and a gold medal would be the cherry on top for such a talented squad.

Frazer Clarke, Pat McCormack, Lauren Price, Karriss Artingstall and Whittaker have all won medals in Tokyo.

---

Watch every unmissable moment live from Tokyo 2020 across Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

Tokyo 2020

‘It shows the respect!’ - Harrington seals lightweight gold

00:01:21

|

08/08/2021 at 10:18

Tokyo 2020

‘It has been a fantastic performance!’ - Unstoppable Price defeats Qian to win gold

00:01:10

|

08/08/2021 at 10:13

Tokyo 2020

'An incredible moment' - GB's Price receives boxing gold medal

00:00:45

|

08/08/2021 at 08:34