Ayoub Ghadfa, received like a star at the gym where he started in Marbella

The boxer from Malaga Ayoub Ghadfa, silver medal in the over 92 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Gamesreturned to him Marbella hometown and Sho-Dan, the gym where he took his first steps in contact sports and where this Tuesday he was welcomed like a hero.

Accompanied by his father, today his biggest ‘fan’ and yesterday the person who motivated him to practice sports, he arrived smiling and with a medal hanging around his neck, knowing the expectations that come with this precious Olympic metal.

Several dozen people were waiting for him at the gym doors, including family, friends and many of his former training partners, who didn’t want to miss the opportunity to greet him in person.

The youngest crowd thronged the Olympic medalist with anticipation, hoping to take a photo with him or take home an autograph.

Ayoub, very patient and never losing his smile, greeted, posed, recorded greetings for WhatsApp groups and signed autographs left and right on boxing gloves, t-shirts and even in cell phone cases.

“Sport is everything”

Ayoub Ghadfa is proud and happy to see so many young people interested in boxing and encourages them “to rely on the sport, because the sport is everything in this life,” he told EFE.

And the current Olympic medalist came to the ring at the urging of his parents, of Moroccan descent, who fled the bullying he suffered at school as a child.

Between photos, Ayoub gathered the youngest followers, reminding them of the importance of learning and training.

“You have to fight for your dreams, but don’t put aside your studies. They are the most important thing,” said the medalist, who in addition to training completed his university studies in Physical Education.

After the Olympic hangover, the boxer is just thinking about disconnecting and will take the next few weeks to rest at home with his family.