Teremoana, left, v Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov. Photo: Facebook / teremoana_rep
Australia's super heavyweight boxer Teremoana Junior Teremoana says he is proud of his achievement, even though he lost out on a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Teremoana, who has Cook Islands heritage through his father, lost to defending champion Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Although he was disappointed that the judges did not award him the fight, Teremoana said he will continue to fight on and return to prepare better for other international commitments.
"My Olympic campaign has come to an end with a decision loss to the reigning champ. While I didn't get the win, I'm incredibly proud of my performance and the effort I put in.
"This may not be my time YET!" he wrote in a Facebook post.
"What a ride it's been. I am deeply thankful for the support and appreciation I've received throughout my Olympic campaign and over the past few years. Thank you to all my sponsors for believing in me and making it possible to dare to be great. I will cherish these experiences for the rest of my life.
"Now that this chapter has closed, the next one begins. All glory to God, for I couldn't have achieved anything without my faith in Christ. I embarked on this journey to represent my family and to prove that with a little belief, we can accomplish anything. Although I didn't win gold, I am fulfilling my mission.
"People around the world, from the USA, London, Ukraine, Brazil, and beyond, now know the name Teremoana."
He said he has shown the world that he is one of the best fighters on the planet.
"I've learned so much on this path, shaping me into a world-class athlete. I've shown the world that I am one of the best fighters on the planet," Teremoana said.
"Getting to this point required countless sacrifices, not just from me but from my entire team. They gave up family time and precious memories to support my quest for gold.
"Seeing the world through boxing and creating lasting memories with my team, who have become a second family, has been an incredible blessing."
Fight was close
Defending champion Jalolov kept his distance from Teremoana in the first rounds and strike from afar, but Teremoana was able to get in close and land a few jarring shots.
The towering Uzbek was more combative in the second and third rounds, connecting with clean shots while taking less damage as he claimed a 5-0 win and ensured himself a second Olympic medal.
Teremoana told the media after the fight he believed that he had won the first and third rounds
"Obviously, the judges didn't see it the same way," he said.
"Such is life, just got to take it on the chin and get better."
The loss left Teremoana short of what would have been only Australia's seventh Olympic boxing medal - and first in the division - given there are no bronze-medal bouts at the Games, the AAP reported.
"Good on him for having a good game plan and running like a cat," Teremoana said of the first-round exchanges.
"I don't know what the judges were watching, to be honest. You can never be robbed; it's just the game, you've got to take it into your own hands.
"I thought I did, but oh well. My saying going into the Games was 'Que Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be'."
Teremoana had talked up the revenge match, unbeaten since losing to the Uzbeki in Tashkent's world championships last year.
'A bit more time'
Australia's boxing coach Santiago Nieva told the media his fighter had won the first round.
"How could he win the round, based on what criteria?" he said.
"I think we also won the second round but okay, that's close."
Proud of his grandfather's Cook Islands roots, Teremoana said his goal in Paris was to show it was possible.
"My whole thing being here is to prove we can do it...be the best in the world," he said.
"For someone (like me) to come out of nowhere and put on a show, give him a hard time, that's a testament.
"Give me a bit more time and I'm going to take him out."