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Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka caused significant confusion on Tuesday by backtracking on a proposed plan to change his sporting nationality from France to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 33-year-old heavyweight, who won gold for France in 2016, took to Instagram to clarify that he has no intention of abandoning his French athletic status.
This reversal came just hours after he had posted on social media about his ambition to represent the DRC in the 2028 Olympics and shared a photo of his new Congolese boxing licence.
The initial reports of a nationality switch were fuelled by DRC Sports Minister Didier Budimbu, who had publicly stated that Yoka would “carry the Congolese flag into the ring” and target a gold medal for the nation.
Yoka had even met with President Felix Tshisekedi during a recent trip to Kinshasa, appearing to confirm a deep commitment to his father’s country of birth.
However, Yoka clarified in a follow-up video that while he is proud to represent the DRC’s image and honour the trust placed in him by the government, his primary goal is the development of a local boxing academy to train future Congolese elites.
Yoka explained that the decision to obtain a Congolese federation licence was a strategic move to “relaunch” his professional career.
He noted that the licence is specifically intended to facilitate a major professional bout he plans to hold in the DRC toward the end of the year.
By holding a national licence, he can fight locally while simultaneously working on his “adventure” to promote Congolese youth and guide them toward their own Olympic aspirations.
Currently riding a four-fight winning streak after a period of professional setbacks, Yoka is slated to return to the ring this April.
While his 2028 Olympic future remains tied to France for now, his involvement in Kinshasa signals a long-term interest in sports diplomacy and humanitarian work in Africa.
For now, the heavyweight insists his focus remains on his professional ascent and his commitment to French boxing, even as he builds a legacy in his father’s homeland.
