Bujold “heart broken” after quarter-final loss in Rio
Posted Aug 16, 2016 01:48:43 PM.
Last Updated Aug 16, 2016 06:33:31 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canada’s last remaining boxer at the Rio Games is out.
Kitchener’s Mandy Bujold lost her 51-kilogram quarter-final bout to China’s Ren Cancan by unanimous decision Tuesday.
But that’s not the whole story.
According to an email sent to 570 News, Bujold says she fell ill Monday night, spending hours in a hospital bed. As for her fight Tuesday, she says, “It was a victory in itself that I was even able to step through the ropes today.”
You can read Bujold’s full email below:
Hey Everyone,
I am obviously heart broken right now and I do not want to take anything away from my opponent because she is a world class athlete but due to unforeseen circumstances I was not able to box my fight today.
It was a victory in itself that I was even able to step through the ropes today. A nightmare that I couldn’t even come up with in my wildest dreams took place today. I feel sick in the middle of the night and spent hours with doctors laying in a hospital bed. I lost over 2 kgs in fluid during that night and had to go to the hospital and get connected to an IV to rehydrate as much as I could. I went straight from the hospital bed to the venue and didn’t even have the energy to warm up.
As I sat in that hospital bed in disbelief of what was happening I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to step through those ropes. But I knew if I didn’t take the chance to get into the ring that I may regret it for the rest of my life and I wouldn’t be able to live with that. So I put my gloves on and went out there and fought one of the best boxers in the World.
I have no idea how I did it so Needless to say in most cases I would be upset with my performance but with the cards I was dealt I’m happy that with all odds against me I still had the courage to step in there are give this girl a good fight.
Also, a big Thank You to my coaches and the COC team who did everything they possibly could until the last second to give me the opportunity to fight.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your encouragement and well wishes during my time here in Rio an throughout the years. It has been an amazing journey and I was fortunate to meet so many incredible people along the way. Although I didn’t get the outcome I wanted and worked for…one thing that can never be taken from me is my Olympian Status!
Thank You for your constant support!
Mandy Bujold
