NewcastleWorld’s 12 days of Christmas: Day six sees a local boxer make history

Today’s local star brought Team GB’s Tokyo medal haul to an all-time high
Who’ under the logo today? (Image: Getty Images)Who’ under the logo today? (Image: Getty Images)
Who’ under the logo today? (Image: Getty Images)

On day six of NewcastleWorld's 12 Days of Christmas, today we reflect on a local lad's remarkable Olympic achievements this summer.

Pat McCormack wowed at the delayed Tokyo games this summer, picking up a silver medal in the Olympic welterweight category.

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The 26-year-old was born in Washington and is affiliated with Birtley Boxing Club.

Today’s spotlight is on Pat McCormack (Image: Getty Images)Today’s spotlight is on Pat McCormack (Image: Getty Images)
Today’s spotlight is on Pat McCormack (Image: Getty Images)

Pat went into the summer as the number one seed and, for many, was favourite to take home the Olympic title.

However, in the final he faced Roniel Iglesias, who had taken bronze at Beijing 2008 and gold at London 2012.

The local Olympian fought nobly but couldn't hold off a rampant Iglesias, settling for the silver medal.

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Pat's medal was a landmark moment for British boxing as it took Team GB's boxing medal total to an all-time high of six.

After his triumph, the boxer told Sky Sports: "It's a bit disappointing that it wasn't a gold medal, that's what I came for.

"Now that the dust has settled, I am proud of it.

"I've medalled at the World Championships, European Championships, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

"This was the last medal on the list and I'm ready for what's next.

"I felt the pressure. I stayed on since Rio so I knew that I'd have to get a medal or it would have been a waste of five years."

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