Nicolae Linca
Encyclopedia
Nicolae Linca
Nicolae Linca (1 January 1929 in Cergăul Mare (village now incorporated in the town of Blaj
, Alba County
, Romania
– 27 June 2008 in Feisa, Alba County
, Romania
) was a Romania
n amateur boxer
and Romania's first olympic
boxing
champion.
. Tiedt actually received more total points, but Linca was given the decision by three of the five judges. In the semi-final and final, he boxed with a severe injury in the right hand, which made him an example of resilience and courage.
Toward the end of his life, he suffered of various illnesses.In the early 1990-s, Romanian media found him living in abject poverty and forgotten by his former club and sports authorities. The public outcry caused by his situation led the Romanian Parliament to vote a law whereby Olympic medalists, past, present and future, would receive a monthly allowance from the Government from the day of their retirement from sport, up to their death.
Nicolae Linca (1 January 1929 in Cergăul Mare (village now incorporated in the town of Blaj
Blaj
Blaj is a city in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania. It has a population of 20,758 inhabitants.The landmark of the city is the fact that it was the principal religious and cultural center of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church in Transylvania....
, Alba County
Alba County
Alba is a county of Romania, in Transylvania, its capital city being Alba-Iulia with a population of 66,406.- Demographics :In 2002, it had a population of 382,747 and the population density was 61/km².* Romanians - 90.4%* Hungarians - 5.4%...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
– 27 June 2008 in Feisa, Alba County
Alba County
Alba is a county of Romania, in Transylvania, its capital city being Alba-Iulia with a population of 66,406.- Demographics :In 2002, it had a population of 382,747 and the population density was 61/km².* Romanians - 90.4%* Hungarians - 5.4%...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
) was a Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n amateur boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and Romania's first olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
champion.
Amateur career
Linca defeated Frederick Tiedt of Ireland on a 3-2 decision, to capture the Olympic Gold Medal in the 148 pound (Welterweight) class at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
. Tiedt actually received more total points, but Linca was given the decision by three of the five judges. In the semi-final and final, he boxed with a severe injury in the right hand, which made him an example of resilience and courage.
Toward the end of his life, he suffered of various illnesses.In the early 1990-s, Romanian media found him living in abject poverty and forgotten by his former club and sports authorities. The public outcry caused by his situation led the Romanian Parliament to vote a law whereby Olympic medalists, past, present and future, would receive a monthly allowance from the Government from the day of their retirement from sport, up to their death.
Olympic results
- Boxing at the 1956 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1956 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1956 Summer Olympics took place in the new stadium at West Melbourne. A total number of 164 competitors entered from 35 nations, of whom 161 from 34 nations weighed-in and boxing was held eight nights and five afternoons. The boxing schedule began on November 23 and ended on December 1...
: - Defeated Hector HatchHector HatchHector Hatch is a former Fijian sportsman, politician and civil servant. He represented Fiji as a boxer at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia...
(Fiji) points (5-0) - Defeated Nicholas Andre (South Africa) points (5-0)
- Defeated Nicholas GarganoNicholas GarganoNicholas Gargano is a former English boxer, who won the bronze medal in the welterweight division at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia...
(Great Britain) points (4-1) - Defeated Frederick Tiedt (Ireland)points 3-2