Sam Rukundo
Encyclopedia
Sam Rukundo (born May 18, 1980 in Kampala
) is a boxer
from Uganda
, who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
for his native Africa
n country. There he was stopped in the quarterfinals of the lightweight
(– 60 kg) division by Russia
's Murat Khrachev
.
Rukundo qualified for the 2004 Athens Games by ending up in second place at the 2nd AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
in Gaborone, Botswana. In the final he was defeated by Mauritius' Michael Medor.
After representing his native country at the Athens Olympics, Rukundo decided to turn pro, under the training of James Cook, and under the management of Mickey Helliet. He made his debut on the September 4 the same year, and moved to Sweden
to improve as a professional fighter.
He has twice been African champion, most recently in January 2009.
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
) is a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Boxing at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Boxing at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place in the Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall. The event was only open to men and bouts were contested over four rounds of two minutes each...
for his native Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n country. There he was stopped in the quarterfinals of the lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
(– 60 kg) division by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
's Murat Khrachev
Murat Khrachev
Murat Pyotrovich Khrachev is a Russian boxer who competed in the men's lightweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympics and won the bronze medal....
.
Rukundo qualified for the 2004 Athens Games by ending up in second place at the 2nd AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
2nd AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
The 2nd AIBA African 2004 Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament was held in Gaborone, Botswana from March 15 to March 22, 2004. It was the second and last chance for amateur boxers from Africa to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics after the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria...
in Gaborone, Botswana. In the final he was defeated by Mauritius' Michael Medor.
After representing his native country at the Athens Olympics, Rukundo decided to turn pro, under the training of James Cook, and under the management of Mickey Helliet. He made his debut on the September 4 the same year, and moved to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to improve as a professional fighter.
He has twice been African champion, most recently in January 2009.