THE PHILIPPINES will parade and unleash five boxers in the Paris Olympics next month.
It includes a returnee, Carlo Paalam, and a debutant, Hergie Bacyadan, after the two delivered a pair of tour de force performances in consecutive days in the second World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ms. Bacyadan, 29, was at her spectacular best as she overpowered a listless Maryelis Yriza of Venezuela via unanimous decision in their women’s 75-kilogram division duel yesterday that booked her a ticket to the French capital.
It came less than a day after Mr. Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, overwhelmed Indian Sachin Siwach also via unanimous decision in the men’s 57kg.
Mr. Paalam and Ms. Bacyadan will join fellow pugs Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
In all, they’re the 14th and 15th Philippine athletes to secure a place in Paris along with pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, and fencer Sam Catantan.
It was an exceptional showing for Philippine boxing as it matched the country’s number of representatives in the Olympics in the 1996 Atlanta Games where it fielded in five including eventual silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.
Interestingly, it will be a reunion of sorts for Mr. Paalam, Ms. Petecio and Mr. Marcial, who delivered three of the four medals won by the Filipinos in the Tokyo Games three years ago with a pair of silvers and a bronze.
The other one was a gold from Hidilyn Diaz, who unfortunately did not make the Paris cut.
After sizing up Yriza in the opening round, Bacyadan, a world vovinam champion and a wushu practitioner on the side, went to work and made her move in the second round when she dizzied her befuddled foe with a rocking uppercut that elicited a standing eight-count.
Leading in three of the five judges’ count, Bacyadan unloaded her full might with magnificent flurries that sealed the deal as she swayed all five judges to give her scores of three 30-26s and two 29-27s.
After her hand was raised in victory, Bacyadan, barely controlling her tears, did the Kalinga Apayao dance as tribute to her roots, hugged her coaches and then went down and was welcomed by her proud team that included Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas.
For Paalam, he used his speed, experience and savvy to negate whatever size advantage Siwach had and drew the nod of all five judges, who scored three 29-28s and a couple of 30-27s.
That propelled Paalam, who brought along his 11-month old baby Carlshay Celeste, back to the Olympics where he gets a chance to claim the medal that got away in Tokyo—a gold. — Joey Villar
Paalam, Bacyadan punch way to Olympics – BusinessWorld Online - BusinessWorld Online
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