Mathews Punza

{{short description|Zambian judoka}} {{Infobox sportsperson | headercolor = lightblue | name = Mathews Punza | image = | imagesize = | caption = | birth_name = | fullname = | nickname = | nationality = Zambian | residence = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|4|27|df=y}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | height = | weight = | website = | country = | sport = Judo | event = | collegeteam = | club = | team = | turnedpro = | coach = | retired = | coaching = | worlds = | religion = | nationals = | olympics = | paralympics = | highestranking = | pb = | medaltemplates = }}

'''Mathews Punza''' (born 27 April 1988) is a Zambian judoka. He participated in the 2010 World Judo Championships and later championships.<ref name=judoinside>{{cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judoka/70735/Mathews_Punza |title=Mathews Punza – judoka|website=judoinside.com |accessdate=7 August 2016}}</ref>

Punza began studying judo at the age of six,<ref name="wakung'uma">Wakung'uma, Shapa. ''[http://allafrica.com/stories/201508240455.html Zambia: Looking At Judo in Police Service]'', The Times of Zambia (via AllAfrica.com), August 22, 2015.</ref> attending classes at Lilayi Police College.<ref name="wakung'uma" /> As an adult, he became an officer in the police service.<ref name="wakung'uma" />

In 2015, Punza and fellow Zambian judoka Boas Munyonga traveled to Uzbekistan to study judo, under a scholarship program from the International Judo Federation.<ref>''[https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=19857 Munyonga, Punza Uzbekistan bound]'', The Zambia Daily Mail, February 11, 2015.</ref> Punza and Munyoga were unable to compete in the 2016 European Open Championship, as a result of visa difficulties with the government of the Czech Republic.<ref>''[https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=60389 Visa hitch knocks out Munyonga, Punza]'', the Zambia Daily Mail, February 25, 2016.</ref> In spite of this, Punza was able to qualify to compete in the Olympics by scoring enough points in competition to meet the continental qualification quota.<ref>Samuel, ''[http://allafrica.com/stories/201606010577.html Zambia: Punza Makes Rio Team]'', The Times of Zambia (via AllAfrica.com), May 31, 2016.</ref>

Punza competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he was Zambia's flag bearer during the opening ceremony.<ref>Akwei, Ismail. ''[http://www.africanews.com/2016/08/09/photos-colourful-africa-parades-at-the-rio-olympics-east-africa/ Colourful Africa parades at the Rio Olympics (East Africa)]'', AfricaNews.com, August 9, 2016.</ref> In the men's 66 kg class, he defeated Golan Pollack of Israel in the second round, but lost to Adrian Gomboč of Slovenia in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/mathews-punza |title=Mathews Punza |website=rio2016.com |accessdate=7 August 2016 |archive-date=25 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125224521/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/mathews-punza |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{sports links}}

{{s-start}} {{s-sports|oly}} {{succession box | before = Prince Mumba | title = Flag bearer for {{ZAM}} | years = Rio de Janeiro 2016 | after = Tilka Paljk <br />and <br />Everisto Mulenga }} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Punza, Mathews}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Zambian male judoka Category:Olympic judoka for Zambia Category:Judoka at the 2016 Summer Olympics