Ayoub Ghadfa: “I am just a man who fought for his dreams”

Getting on the podium at Paris 2024 has been “a dream come true” for Marbella boxer Ayoub Ghadfa: “I always fight to be the best. I always do everything in my power to do my best and I have always dreamed of the podium, so why not,” he told EFE in an interview.

At 25 years old and in his first Olympic Games, he won for Spain an important silver medal in the category over 92 kilograms and was satisfied with the victory, but without losing sight of the ground, he looked down in Los Angeles, wanting he there in 2028 and why not, win gold.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me,” Ayoub clarified, but what he does seem clear is that for now he will continue another cycle as a novice and when he is ready, he will make the jump to the professionals boxing category.

His successful time at the Paris Games meant great physical and mental effort for the Marbella boxer, so now he is only thinking about vacation, relaxation and disconnection. Then, “let’s see,” he said with a smile.

Son of a Moroccan couple who moved to Spain in search of a better life, the current Olympic medalist came to Sho-Dan, the Marbella gym where he took his first steps in contact sports, almost by chance, running away for the harassment I suffered. school.

From school bullying to the Olympic podium

Because of his weight, height or foreign origin, he is laughed at by his peers and his parents, sad and tired of seeing their only child suffer, enroll him to practice ‘kickboxing’ so that he can learn defend himself. With this decision they bought, unknowingly, the ticket to the Ayoub Olympic train.

After touching the sky in Paris, in his native Marbella he was welcomed like a hero and from one day to the next he became a reference for many, especially for the children of the neighborhood where he grew up and in the gym where he trained.

Despite everything, he has no other feelings and, he assured EFE, with humility and a smile, he shared his success with them without doubt with the desire to motivate them. “I am simply a person who has fought for his dreams,” although “I have felt great support from the people around me.”

The Marbella boxer completed university studies in Physical Education and did not rule out teaching at some point in his life, although he is now focused on boxing. At the moment “I’m just boxing,” he said.

Away from the pressure that this Olympic medalist has because of being a reference for young people, he believes that this position gives him a good opportunity to encourage many teenagers who do not know which path to choose to play sports.

Ayoub’s plan B

However, he enjoys having his university degree in his pocket, which offers him a plan B in the face of how uncertain life can be. “The most important thing is your studies for tomorrow because you never know when a sports career will end,” he emphasized.

“Grateful to help anyone, especially children” to get closer to the sport and through it to get training and “learn more values,” he encourages them to pursue their dreams like he did and become role models for future generations.

Sport is key to anyone’s life because “it teaches you values, education, respect, discipline…” and that is “very important” not only for the athlete, but also for the student.

“For me, sport is everything,” he said, it is something he could not do without and for which he is “very grateful for it he has found new opportunities, professional and personal, and through it opens up a lot for him.” . doors, details.

“Sport is, above all, health,” but it also offers a space where a boy can develop as a person, grow, train and make friends away from the street and bad influences.