Cleveland Heights native Charles Conwell went to the 2016 Rio Olympics with the expectation of bringing home a gold medal, but his dream was dashed in the very first round of competition Tuesday.
Conwell lost a unanimous decision to Vikas Krishan Yadav of India in the round of 32 in the men’s 75-kilogram competition, thus ending his Olympic dream short of the goal of making it to the top of the medal stand, as he had done on his way to the Rio Games.
Conwell had not lost on his way to the Olympics.
After winning the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials, Conwell had to compete in an international tournament before earning the right to represent Team USA.
Fighting in his fourth tournament outside of the United States, Conwell won his semifinal match against Columbia’s Jorge Luis Vivas Palacios in the 165-pound weight class, and then, “Bad News” earned a unanimous decision victory over Misael Uzierl Rodriguez Olivas of Mexico in an action-packed championship bout back in March.
