March. 26, 2020 - As suspected, one of Croatia's best boxers, Toni Filipi, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Boxing coach Tomo Kadić and boxer Toni Filipi are positive for the coronavirus, reports Gol.hr and HRT.

After publicly calling the Croatian Boxing Federation a few days ago for poor organization and insufficient health care for his boxers who traveled to London amid a coronavirus pandemic, they competed for a few days and returned home promptly after the qualifiers for the Olympic Games were terminated, the Gladiator club coach confirmed via his Facebook.

"The call came today. I'm positive for the coronavirus. It's not easy for me; it's not easy for me to swallow. But I know I'll fight it. I feel better and safer today," Kadić said in a video that lasts more than six minutes.

"When the International Olympic Committee was already unaware that no qualifications were to be held, then people were aware of all this. I approached this responsibly for myself and everyone else. Keep to the protocol; we can win all this," Kadić added.

After that, news came that Filipi was positive for the coronavirus. He made his statement to Radio Zadar.

"The first two days since I was in self-isolation, I had nothing, no symptoms. After that I felt a little hot, I measured my temperature and I had one. My head also ached and I coughed. Then I was tested and today received confirmation that I am positive. However, now I feel good, I am firm, I do not let illnesses affect me easily. 

It will be all right, I listen to the doctor's instructions and I believe this will all go away quickly. Everyone hold on, do not panic, just be responsible and listen to the authorities,” said Filipi.

Tomo and Toni are the second and third confirmed coronavirus cases in the Croatian boxing team. Before them, Ante Matas, the national team coach, also tested positive. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

It was another brilliant victory and the best result yet in the senior career of 23-year-old Zadar heavyweight boxer Toni Filipi (of Boxing Club Gladijator) at the European Games in Minsk. The Croatian champion overcame Adam Hamori in the quarterfinal with a split decision by the judges and secured at least the bronze medal, reports HRT on June 25, 2019. 

“What can I say, I am delighted, because of these things and these moments that I’ve been able to experience since I started boxing. However, I have not yet achieved what I want, and that is going to end. I’ve secured the bronze, now let's try to secure the final fight and the bright gold medal.”

Filipi commented on the fight against Hamori.

“I expected a tough and uncertain match. Hamori is an excellent boxer and that is what he showed in the ring. He was the third seed in the tournament, but this time I was better and that makes me particularly happy. I would also like to thank all my team, especially my coaches Kadić and Zubčić, and my supporters. I really heard them cheering, that meant a lot to me, so thank you again.”

For a place in the final, Filipi must fight against Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, who the judges unanimously ruled was better than the Italian Aziz Mouhiidine.

“Gadzhimagomedov is from the Russian boxing school, the second seed of the championship. He defeated Aziz, a very dangerous and great boxer. One thing is for sure, I am full of confidence, I believe in myself and I will do everything to make it into the final. Nobody can say that they are better, the ring is the only measure of that,” he added. 

This is the second European medal for the Filipi family. In Baku in 2015, Toni's brother Josip Bepo Filipi won the bronze, also in the heavyweight category. 

On Wednesday, our super-heavyweight Marko Milun (+91kg) can also secure a bronze medal in the quarterfinal duel with Gruzijce Bahtidze.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.