Omrane Sadok was Tunisia's flagbearer when the country made its Olympic debut ©Getty Images

Tunisia's first-ever flagbearer at the Olympic Games, Omrane Sadok, has died aged 83.

The boxer carried the Tunisian flag at the Opening Ceremony for the Rome 1960 Olympics, where Tunisia made its debut.

Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956, but the National Olympic Committee of Tunisia (CNOT) did not gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee until the following year.

Sadok competed in the men's welterweight division at Rome 1960, defeating Yugoslavia's Tomislav Kelava in his opening bout.

A narrow 3-2 defeat to Bulgarian Shishman Mitsev followed in round three, but Sadok was the only one of Tunisia's five boxers to win a fight in the Italian capital.

In 1959, at the Mediterranean Games in Lebanese capital Beirut, Sadok won the welterweight gold medal.

Following the 1960 Olympics, Sadok turned professional, winning 18 of 25 fights, with 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout. 

The CNOT said it was mourning the death of Sadok and wished his family well.

Tunisia's Sports Ministry has also paid tribute to the country's maiden Olympic flagbearer - dubbed an "artist" in the ring by Tunisian media.