Samoan Boxing Silver Medallist returns home to Mum’s passing

11 AUGUST 2022: Samoan heavyweight boxing Silver medallist at last weeks Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Tupuola Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali has returned home in Australia to the shock and pain of his Mum’s passing.

Tupuola’s mother, Monica Plodzicki-Faoagali passed away on Saturday 6th August, the night he made it to the finals after defeating Niue’s Duken Tutakitoa-Williams in the semis.

“I did not know,” he told Talamua.

“My dad couldn’t tell me until I returned home, however I knew something wasn’t right,” he said.

“I just felt something I’ve never had before which was absolutely no nerves and felt at peace, even leading up to the final.”

“I dedicate everything I am and what I have achieved to my dearest Mum” – Tupuola Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali.

The Samoan Olympian speaks fondly of his mother who he says maintains a low profile and prefers to stay in the background despite her role in her sons’ boxing success.

“My mum, Monica Plodzicki-Faoagali was the backbone of team Against the Odds (ATO) and she did absolutely everything for me.

“And I dedicate everything I am and what I have achieved to my dearest mum.

“She meant the world to me. Mum did everything for me not only in the background for my boxing but also in life.”

Trained by his dad “who did all the father things, but Mum did absolutely everything for me.

“She hated being on show and I want to show her off one time. Always the one behind the scene, doing the hard work.”

Tupuola returned home in Australia early this week after the Birmingham Games where he won Samoa’s fourth Silver to add to the overall medal tally of 1 Gold and three Silvers won by the weightlifters.