More than a medal! Why boxer was praised for not celebrating knockout victory at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Updated 30/07/2026 at 15:11 GMT+1
React to this story
While winning a medal for your nation is a dream for many athletes, some things are bigger than a sporting achievement. There was a brilliant example of that inside the ring on day six at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Best KO of the Games? Wales' Holley-Sotomi guarantees medal with SUPER punch
Video credit: TNT Sports
Welsh boxer Orlando Holley-Sotomi took on Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai in the men’s boxing 70kg quarter-finals, and the fight ended in devastating fashion.
As the pair broke a little over a minute into the first round, Holley-Sotomi knocked out Thai with a flush right hand, but rather than celebrate, his immediate attention was on the wellbeing of his opponent.
Describing the action as it happened was TNT Sports commentator Dave Farrar.
"A super right, followed by a left hook and that is that from Holley-Sotomi," Farrar said. "What a shot that is, and he gets a medal in the most dramatic fashion and our thoughts now turn to Refiloe Thai.
"The doctor is across with him, so we’ll just curb the excitement for a moment.
"The doctor is calling for help. It was an amazing shot from Holley-Sotomi but now our concern is for this boxer here."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/28/image-566ceb55-8c7c-4918-ac2f-ee9896209f28-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Unlucky not to get that one' - Trowbridge reacts after quarter-final loss
Video credit: TNT Sports
Thai was unable to get up for more than a minute as the fans in attendance fell silent, all the while Holley-Sotomi cut a concerned figure in his corner.
He is guaranteed a bronze and has the chance still to win gold or silver, but the health of his fallen opponent was clearly of far greater importance.
"We’ll look at the Glasgow rain for a bit while he gets treatment," continued Farrar.
"There’s quiet all around the place. The doctors are just looking at him and taking their time with him and that’s absolutely the right thing to do.
"It’s certainly a medal for him, but I thought he showed great class that he didn’t even celebrate that as he saw his opponent on his way down.
- Scotland fall narrowly short of greatest ever result in loss to Jamaica
- From the pool to the podium: How the Haka has taken Games by storm
Thai did eventually sit up on the stretcher before rising to his feet, an act that rightly drew one of the biggest cheers of the day.
Up next for Holley-Sotomi in the semi-finals is Mauritian boxer Merven Clair.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement