PG County Boxer Gary Russell's 2016 Olympic Dream Ends at Rio

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD — Prince George's County's own Gary Antuanne Russell was so close to a medal, but he went down swinging in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Tuesday. After a hard-fought match, Uzbekistan's Fazliddin Gaibnazaroz was named the winner of the bout in a split decision as Russell clearly chafed at the announcement in the ring, thinking he'd done enough to win the match.

Had Russell won, he would have moved on to the final four in the light welterweight tournament in Rio and would have been guaranteed at least a bronze medal. Russell had defeated Thai boxer Wuttichai Masuk on Sunday and Haiti's Richardson Hitchins on Aug. 10 to open the tournament.

Still, it was an impressive Olympics for the 20-year-old Capitol Heights native, winning his first two bouts and almost defeating Gaibnazaroz as his opponents were clearly caught off guard by his strength, speed and tenacity despite his young age. The last round of his match against the 25-year-old Uzbeki featured a furious comeback where Russell landed numerous heavy blows -- but it wasn't quite enough in the judge's eyes as his opponent essentially coasted after winning the first two rounds.

Russell has already accomplished a lot, becoming the first from his family of boxers to win an Olympic match after his win over Hitchins. His older brother, Gary Russell Jr., was named to the 2008 squad in Beijing, but he never won a match. Two of his older brothers are also award-winning boxers.

Image via TeamUSA.org