Charlie Senior, the Australian boxer, has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late grandfather, Dennis, after securing a victory at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The 22-year-old athlete donned a gumshield engraved with Dennis's name as he triumphed over Vasile Usturoi in a split decision. This victory carries extra weight, as Senior was unable to attend his grandfather's funeral last December due to his Olympic qualifying commitments.
Dennis lost his battle with cancer just before the qualifiers, and Senior, who was born in Bradford, England, was unable to travel back to his homeland to pay his respects. "I was unfortunately not able to go to the funeral or see him (before he passed)," Senior confided to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Senior remains unwavering in his dedication to his Olympic dreams. He explained, "That was my piece for him. My mum and dad and my little sister are here. My grandma, Dennis' wife, she's here and travelled from England. She's supporting me, and that's a big thing."
When questioned about missing the funeral, Senior asserted that he has no regrets, believing his sacrifices will pay off if he can achieve his Olympic aspirations. "You can't be there for everything. I've missed a lot. But I'd do it again. I'm missing things for the right reasons," he said.
Senior, who moved to Perth at the age of two, is determined to honour his grandfather's memory as he competes in the men's 57kg division in Paris. "I'm sure I'm making him proud," Senior declared.
Earlier on Wednesday, Australia's boxing captain, Caitlin Parker, showcased an impressive performance in the women's 75kg division, securing her place in the next round.
With a mixture of determination and grief, Charlie Senior is poised to continue his Olympic journey, inspired by the memory of his beloved grandfather.