22 May 2018

Nyika had all but given up on getting medal back

4:58 pm on 22 May 2018

Commonwealth Games boxing champion David Nyika had all but given up on getting his gold medal back.

The medal and several gift vouchers were stolen from the back of his car in Hamilton three weeks ago.

Police released CCTV footage of people using the vouchers and were confident they would be able to find them.

David Nyika with his gold medal after winning the Men's Heavy 91kg boxing final on the Gold Coast.

David Nyika with his gold medal after winning the Men's Heavy 91kg boxing final on the Gold Coast. Photo: Copyright

This morning Nyika got a phone call from police to say they had recovered the medal and he was reunited with it in this afternoon.

"I was pretty shocked they managed to get it back after three weeks.... if it were me I would have gotten rid of it," he said.

"I'd already organised a replacement medal but the fact that it has found its way back is amazing."

David Nyika has been reunited with his Commonwealth Games gold medal from the Gold Coast.

David Nyika has been reunited with his Commonwealth Games gold medal from the Gold Coast. Photo: Andrew McRae/RNZ

He discovered the medal had gone when he went to find to take to a local primary school he was visiting after hearing one of the pupils had dressed up as him on a costume day.

Nyika said the youngster will be high on the list of the visits he'll make now that he has the medal back.

Despite having it stolen Nyika said he won't be keeping the medal under lock and key

"Nah I'll just put it under another seat in my car," he joked.

"I like taking it around to schools and to family and friends, so I will just keep doing what I do."

The medal was Nyika's second Commonwealth Games gold, having also stood on the top dais in Glasgow four years ago.