On July 31, 2012, Travis Stevens (USA) fought Ole Bischof (GER) in the semifinal of the London Olympic Games. He lost by hantei (decision).
Jimmy Pedro has said that watching Stevens lose that match was the most painful experience of his coaching life.
On August 9, 2016, Stevens got another chance to make it to the final of the Olympics.
He faced former World Champion Avtandili Tchrikishvili (GEO) in the semifinal. They had fought six times in the past and Tchrikishvili had won five of those encounters.
But Stevens, having narrowly lost out in the semifinal of the last Olympics, was not to be denied a second time.
In the last minute of their match, Stevens caught Tchrikishvili with a strangle and earned his place in the final.
He lost in the final but unlike some champions who are disappointed with an Olympic silver, Stevens was absolutely delighted. He told an interviewer: “It’s as good as gold to me.”
