GALAL YAFAI will be fighting for Olympics gold following a thrilling semi-final performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
After beating Kazak Saken Bibolossinov in a split decision at Kokugikan Arena, the 28-year-old Birmingham resident reached Saturday's final.
Galal Yafai celebrates victory over Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan
He will be fighting Carlo Paalam from the Philippines for gold. His goal is to win the first Team GB title at these Games.
The southpaw will now attempt to beat his elder brothers Khalid Yafai (professional boxer) and Gamal Yafai (professional boxer).
Khalid, 32, represented Great Britain in Beijing at the 2008 Olympic Games. However, he was unable make it past the 16th stage.
Yafai is far better than the fighter everyone saw at Rio Olympics 2016, when he was defeated in the 16th round by Joahnys Arvilagos, a Cuban boxer.
After having left his job as a Land Rover factory worker in Solihull, the Brummie decided to go to Brazil. He had only been training for the Games for six months.
It was lively, with both flyweights on their front feet and throwing lots of punches.
Yafai was the leader on all five judges' scorecards, due in part to a brilliant left punch that hit the Kazak flush in his face.
Bibossinov won a stronger second round, which reduced the deficit going into the final round.
Kazak began to celebrate towards the end of right, but he had to wipe his smile off when the result came in.
After Yafai was declared the winner, he left the ring with tears in his eyes.
Yafai, beaming with pride, said, "It's unbelievable, I can't believe that it happened."
It's like a fairytale. It's like a dream.
"I have one more hurdle to overcome, and that is to beat the Philippines to win gold."
Yafai was a child and knew he would be competing in the Olympic final. It was something we would talk about at home.
"And now, I'm fighting before everyone.
"My mum, my family, and my friends [with] me in the Olympic final, the whole world.
"I just have to deliver the goods, and bring that gold medal home."
