Rio Olympics 2016: Welsh boxer Joe Cordina desperate to win medal
- Published
Joe Cordina (left) won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games after a semi-final loss to Scotland's Charlie Flynn
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Boxer Joe Cordina says he would be disappointed not to win a medal at Rio.
The 24-year-old Welsh lightweight won gold at the 2015 European Amateur Championships and claimed bronze in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
But the Rio Games will be the Cardiff-born fighter's Olympic debut and he will take on Charly Suarez of the Philippines in the first round of the men's light 60kg class on Saturday.
"I've worked the last eight years of my life for this," said Cordina.
"I'm here and this is all I've ever wanted. I'd be disappointed if I didn't win a medal.
"I've got a young daughter, who I'm missing like crazy. I know I'm here to do a job - I've got to just concentrate on that."
Cordina secured his place in Rio with victory in the 2016 European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Turkey.
The Welshman did so by beating Ireland's David Joyce, who had eliminated him from the 2012 Olympic qualification competition.
Meeting Murray and life in the Olympic Village
Andy Murray, who won men's singles gold at the 2012 Olympics, has visited Team GB's boxers at their training base in Brazil
Olympic and Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Murray has been chosen to carry the flag for Great Britain at Friday's opening ceremony.
"I thought it should have been me myself, but he deserves it," Cordina joked.
"I've seen Andy Murray, he popped in yesterday to watch us [the boxers] train which was good. He's won everything and he's a great ambassador for British sport.
'It's amazing to be here, I've just been taking it all in and I can't wait to get going now.
"There's a lot going on, I want to soak it all it, but I also don't want to get sidetracked from what I'm here to do.
"It's amazing, the food [in the Olympic Village] is good, the facilities are good. If you need massages you can go and get one. There's a McDonald's but I've been nowhere near it!"
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