Serugo to drop ‘thunder’

RIO DE JANEIRO.

Ronald Serugo will approach the Rio Olympics encounter against Armenia’s Narek Abgaryan tonight like it is his last career fight.

Serugo, who prefers calling himself Thunder, lost his first fight of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

After his only Ugandan boxing team mate Kennedy Katende lost to Briton Joshua Buatsi early this week, Serugo comes into the ring with a heavier load.

“I know every Ugandan is expecting me to deliver. I don’t want to disappoint them, my family and myself,” the 31-year-old promised.
“I am going to fight like it’s my last fight.”

Formidable opponent
Although younger and short on experience, Abgaryan is a formidable opponent. Coming into Rio, he won silver in the European Olympic Qualification after losing the final 2-1 to Slovakia’s Tanko Villiam in June.

Serugo’s journey was a slightly difficult one as he settled for bronze at the Africa Olympic qualifiers.
“I will take him on like any other opponent and try to score points early,” promised the Sweden-based Serugo.

Table of men
On track, Joshua Cheptegei, one of Uganda’s top athletes, also competes today in the men’s 10,000m final.

He faces a stiff challenge in British’s Mo Farah and Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor. The two are favourites for top honours in the 25-lap race.

Cheptegei, a gold medallist over the same race at the World Junior Championships in USA two years ago, has shown good form coming here and is well equipped to mix with the top cream.

Elsewhere, Peruth Chemutai competes in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase semifinals.

TODAY IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Flyweight (52kg contest) 11.45PM
Ronald Serugo (Uganda) vs.
NarekAbgaryan (Armenia)
WOMEN ATHLETICS (4.05pm)
Peruth Chemutai (steeplechase)
WOMEN ATHLETICS (3.27PM)
Joshua Cheptegei (10,000m final)

SERUGO PROFILE

Born. September 5, 1984 (age 31)
Bronze. 2008 Africa Olympic trials in Namibia
Gold. 2008 and 2009 East Africa Military Games
Bronze. All-Africa Games 2011
Gold. Tammer International Tournament 2011
Winner. Three-time Swedish Champion (light fly and flyweight)