More than 800 athletes converged on Portimão to compete in the internationally recognised Portimão Box Cup. One of the stars of the tournament was local boxer Rui Murta.
I met up with Rui at his ‘second home’, the Centro de Treinos de Olhão, to learn more about his success in one of the toughest of all sports.
Inspired by his older brother, Rui began his sporting career ten years ago in kickboxing before moving into boxing a few years later. Now, at 17 years of age, he trains every day and twice a day during the school holidays, skilfully balancing his education with his passion for boxing. In the weeks prior to the Portimão Box Cup, the intensity of Rui’s training increased.
This year’s event carried extra pressure because Rui won gold last year in the 54kg weight category. The challenge was to defend his title and, remarkably, that’s exactly what he did. It was a fantastic achievement, especially given the international nature of the competition, with Rui defeating numerous challengers along the way, including boxers from northern Portugal and Ireland.
A good deal of Rui’s support comes from João Vieira, his coach, mentor, and the owner of the Olhão Training Centre. As a boxer himself, João has guided Rui through the physical and mental demands of the sport. “Boxing and João have helped make me a better person, both inside and outside the ring. I am more disciplined, focused and humble,” Rui tells me.
It’s a sign of Rui’s dedication that, after his latest victory, there was no grand celebration. “I was back training the next day,” he said. “I have another two big tournaments later this year, including Boxing Spirit in Lisbon.” His ultimate aim is to turn professional, but he knows that he must gain more experience in amateur fights first.
Outside the boxing ring, Rui watches his diet carefully and, in his spare time, he enjoys playing video games and spending time with his friends. He’s an excellent role model, ably demonstrating the benefits of having a vision for his future, training hard, eating carefully and respecting his fellow athletes. His advice to anyone thinking of taking up boxing or any similar discipline is simple but powerful: “Train hard and don’t give up.”
João was full of praise for Rui’s approach. “You can see the gold medal, but what you don’t see is everything that had to be given up to win it. The months of work. The hours of training. The busy weekends. The exhaustion. The aches and pains.” João had two boxers competing at the Portimão Box Cup, with Santiago Miguel picking up a creditable bronze medal. “What I am most proud of is not the medals. It’s the persistence they showed when things were not going well. Their dedication and the way they never stopped believing.”
It’s fair to say that Olhão is not the most affluent city in Portugal. The opportunities for young people here can feel limited. It’s people such as Rui and João who serve as inspiration, showing that there is always another path. As João said: “Boxing is not about fighting. It is about discipline, family, friendship and respect for your opponent. Not everyone will be a champion inside the ring, but everyone can be a champion in how they face life’s challenges. In the end, far more important than any place on the podium is the person we become along the way.”
