When Théoneste Gakunzi first walked right into a boxing membership at Amahoro Stadium as an adolescent, he was not fascinated by nationwide championships, worldwide medals or turning into captain of Rwanda’s nationwide group.
He merely wished to discover ways to defend himself.
Born on August 5, 1988, in Ngororero District, Gakunzi grew up because the third of 4 youngsters. Like lots of his friends, he initially most popular soccer, however frequent fights in school pushed him in direction of martial arts.
“I wished to defend myself,” he remembers.
That seek for self-defence launched him to boxing round 2000. On the fitness center, he found that the game was about way more than combating.
“You may't struggle on the street. You struggle on the fitness center or in competitors. Boxing taught me to be accountable and to defend your self when it actually issues,” he says.
Impressed by boxing legends Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, Gakunzi started competing for Lemans and Remera Boxing Membership earlier than incomes a spot on Rwanda’s nationwide group in 2006.
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His first worldwide competitors was the Zone V event in Nairobi, Kenya, the place he gained bronze within the 64kg class. That very same yr, he gained nationwide championship gold in each the 64kg and 69kg classes and added bronze on the East African Military Boxing Competitors in Kigali.
Gakunzi went on to change into a five-time nationwide champion and compete in a number of worldwide tournaments. Considered one of his profession highlights got here on the 2011 African Video games in Maputo, Mozambique, the place he completed runner-up.
“I liked all of the African Video games that befell in Mozambique. I used to be proud of that competitors. It was an excellent competitors and I did properly,” he says.
He additionally remembers stopping Mustapha Mpakaniye with a left hook within the second spherical of a 2010 CNLS-sponsored event at Amahoro Stadium.
Finally, Gakunzi grew to become captain of Rwanda’s nationwide group.
“Being captain of the nationwide group is one thing that I nonetheless keep in mind. We performed competitions that helped us acquire extra expertise and put the title of the nation on the worldwide boxing map,” he says.
Boxing past the ring
For Gakunzi, boxing provided greater than medals. It taught him self-discipline, helped him construct relationships and supported his schooling.
He says the earnings he earned by way of boxing helped pay his college charges in 2015.
“All of the research charges I obtained had been from boxing,” he says.
Nevertheless, his profession additionally uncovered him to the monetary challenges dealing with athletes. He says boxers want correct diet, tools, teaching, restoration and common competitors, all of which require funding.
“A boxer must eat properly, loosen up and have a coach. He wants coaching and extra competitors. All of this requires monetary backing,” he says.
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Gakunzi stepped away from aggressive boxing round 2014, partly due to different duties, together with his schooling. However he remained concerned within the sport.
From boxer to educate
After retiring, Gakunzi accomplished an Worldwide Boxing Affiliation (AIBA) teaching course and commenced working as a coach. He additionally grew to become a referee with the Rwanda Boxing Federation.
“After retirement, my dream was to change into a coach. I did what I might,” he says.
Right now, he works as a boxing coach and hopes to determine his personal fitness center and boxing membership to coach and mentor younger athletes.
His ambition is pushed by a need to assist younger Rwandans develop their expertise and self-discipline whereas creating alternatives he believes can take them to the skilled stage.
Constructing the subsequent technology
Gakunzi believes Rwanda has gifted younger boxers however wants better funding within the sport.
He requires higher amenities, tools, transport and monetary assist, whereas urging the personal sector to play an even bigger position.
“Initially, we want boxing supporters. We want tools and locations to coach. We want assist for kids, together with transportation. There are such a lot of issues which might be wanted,” he says.
“We now have a younger technology of boxers. If we assist them and assist them, they’ll change into good skilled boxers. However the situation of finance continues to be there.”
Gakunzi as soon as dreamed of reaching the best stage {of professional} boxing, impressed by Tyson and Lewis. That dream was by no means realised.
“I wished to play at a really excessive stage like Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis. I didn't attain that dream due to circumstances in life. However I don't blame myself,” he says.
As an alternative, he has redirected his ambition in direction of the subsequent technology.
His message to younger boxers is easy: be affected person.
Greater than twenty years after getting into a boxing fitness center to study self-defence, Gakunzi has change into a five-time nationwide champion, worldwide medallist and former national-team captain.
Now, his struggle is totally different.
He’s not making an attempt to win bouts. He’s serving to Rwanda produce the boxers who can.
