José enrique rodríguez cal: First spanish medalist of olympic boxing

Abstract

This article is part of the research on the historical reconstruction of the sporting career of José Enrique Rodríguez Cal, the first Spanish boxing medalist. The methodology was developed from the documentary analysis of primary sources, interviews and discussion groups with the subsequent process of contrast and triangulation. The result is the recovery of the historical circumstances of the national boxing team of that period and a unique, original and unprecedented rescue of a fragment of “life history" of Rodríguez Cal, covering one of the many shortcomings of the History of the Spanish sports. The precarious conditions in that period in terms of materials, facilities and training, as well as the origin of disadvantaged socio-economic environments were common aspects among boxers at that time, being a unique precedent the achievement of an Olympic medal in this sport discipline.