Can the twins “take over Tokyo”?
We’ll know the answer very soon as the McCormacks prepare to open their Olympic campaigns.
The Washington brothers, who box for the brilliant Birtley ABC, are in Japan searching for glory at the biggest show on earth, despite the fact it is taking place behind closed doors.
Pat and Luke (right) go into Tokyo 2020 in excellent form after getting medals at the Olympic qualifier in Paris.
It was gold for Pat at welterweight where he avenged his unlucky 2019 World Championship final defeat to Andrei Zamkovoi, while there was a bronze at lightweight for Luke.
The 26-year-olds have been to the Europeans, Worlds, Commonwealths, European Games and pretty much everywhere else, but this will be their first Olympics and they intend to make it special.
“I went by myself last time to Rio and didn’t get a medal,” said Pat. “This time I’ve got Luke with me.
“It’s going to be unbelievable. It’s time for the twins to take over Tokyo.”
Can they do it given this is a step up from Paris?
Pat enters the competition as number one seed and you would not bet against him justifying that come final day on August 3, when should the tournament go to schedule, he’d face Zamkovai again.
First things first, he must see off Aliaksandr Radzionau in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 27 around 3am UK time.
The Belarus boxer came through his preliminary round with a split decision win over Turkey’s Necat Ekinci.
Just like Pat, Luke also looks in the form of his life after giving his old rival, Sofiane Oumiha, a terrific tussle in the semis in Paris where the Frenchman (seeded one in Tokyo) won by a split decision.
Luke has a preliminary round bout to open with against Manish Kausik on Sunday July 25 (approx 10.30am UK time) and should he see off the Indian, he has a tough round of 16 test on Friday against Cuba’s Andy Cruz, who is the number three seed.
But he not only has the talent inside him, he also has the drive.
Speaking previously to punch-lines, Luke said: “I’ve boxed all the best kids in the world but you need to get on the medal stage.
“Just to be seen at the Olympics is good but as a boxer you want to be fighting for medals.”
The McCormacks are part of an 11-strong GB team in Tokyo.
Sadly that is now down to 10 after featherweight Peter McGrail was eliminated on Saturday morning, losing on a unanimous decision to Chatchai Butdee of Thailand.
Female feather Karriss Artingstall did go through on points against Sadie Kenosi of Botswana.
Words: Roy Kelly
