Paea Wolfgramm

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full namePaea•Wolfgramm
Used namePaea•Wolfgramm
Nick/petnamesThe Tongan Warrior
Born1 December 1969 in 'Utungake, Vava'u (TGA)
Measurements185 cm / 140 kg
NOC Tonga
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Wolfgramm was a former rugby player who had not boxed until the age of twenty-one. After only 24 bouts he qualified for the Olympics but was considered a rank outsider in the super-heavyweight. Wolfgramm caused one of the greatest upsets in Olympic boxing when he defeated Cuba’s Alexis Rubalcaba in their quarter-final bout and then scored the decisive punch with only a few seconds left to win his semi-final against Duncan Dokiwari. Despite King Taufa’ahou Topu IV of Tonga ordering a day of prayer for the Tongan nation to help him, Wolfgramm was unable to defeat Wladimir Klitchko of Ukraine for the gold medal but he did become the first Tongan Olympic medallist.

Embarking on a professional career after the Games he won twenty of his twenty-five professional fights but his most important fight, a rematch with Klitschko this time for the WBC International heavyweight title, ending in a crushing first round defeat.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1996 Summer Olympics Boxing TGA Paea Wolfgramm
Super-Heavyweight, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1996 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony TGA Paea Wolfgramm

Special Notes