Enmanuel Reyes Pla, a 31-year-old boxer, is representing Spain for the second time at the Olympic Games and is confident that he will secure a gold medal in Paris. Enmanuel competed in Tokyo 2020, where he finished fifth after being defeated in the quarterfinals by Julio César la Cruz, a highly anticipated match in which "La Sombra," a four-time world champion and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, won by a 4-1 judges' decision.
"The Prophet," who had declared he would be the first to shout "Patria y Vida" in Tokyo, had to listen to his rival shout "¡Patria y Vida, no! ¡Patria o Muerte, venceremos!" after his defeat. Four years later, with a record that includes a bronze medal at the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships, a silver at the 2022 European Amateur Boxing Championships, and a bronze at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, Reyes believes he is more than ready to reach the podium in France.
"My aspirations in Paris are focused on one goal: the gold medal if God allows it. I finished fifth in Tokyo, also competing for Spain. Now I am preparing both physically and mentally to become an Olympic champion; I am reaching my best form, following my coach's plan, and most importantly, enjoying the process," he said in an interview with CiberCuba.
Born in Havana on December 14, 1992, Enmanuel became the national runner-up against Eryslandy Savón in 2016, which convinced him that he would never be given the opportunity to excel in his home country, no matter how good he was, because "the established ones are untouchable." He then embarked on a journey to Moscow, also staying in Belarus, Germany, and Austria, a true odyssey that even included periods of imprisonment for being illegal. He eventually reached Spain, where he was welcomed by his family and integrated into the Spanish Boxing Federation, which helped him obtain citizenship.
"I came to Spain because it always treated my family well, and I wanted to defend its colors. They believed in me. I am not an Olympic athlete for money but for the glory of being a champion," he stated in 2020.
In these Olympics, Reyes will have his first bout on Sunday, July 28.
"Expect the best from me, because I have worked hard to bring joy to all the people who follow and support me. Paris will be a great Olympics for Spanish boxing, for Galicia, and for me. We're going all out," he assured.
Enmanuel Reyes at Paris 2024: Key Questions and Answers
As Enmanuel Reyes prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympics, here are some frequently asked questions about his journey and expectations:
What medals has Enmanuel Reyes won in his boxing career so far?
Enmanuel Reyes has won a bronze medal at the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships, a silver medal at the 2022 European Amateur Boxing Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2023 European Games in Krakow.
Why did Enmanuel Reyes decide to represent Spain instead of Cuba?
Enmanuel Reyes chose to represent Spain because he felt he would never be given the opportunity to excel in Cuba due to the favoritism towards established athletes. Spain welcomed him and his family, and he wanted to defend their colors.
When is Enmanuel Reyes' first match at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Enmanuel Reyes' first match at the Paris 2024 Olympics is scheduled for Sunday, July 28.