Boxers gird for Olympic qualifiers
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 30 Jan 2024
Paalam (L) and Ladon (R) lead ten PH boxers hoping to qualify for Paris Olympics.
Five male and five female boxers are out to join Eumir Marcial in representing the country in the coming Olympics but their road to Paris will go through tough qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Feb. 29-March 12 and in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 23-June 3.
ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo said yesterday he expects “a really tough task to qualify at the world level.” So far, 109 boxers from 49 countries have booked tickets to Paris, making it via the continental route in the European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games, Pacific Games and Africa Games. Australia has the most qualifiers with 12 in 13 divisions. Brazil is next with nine. China leads Asia with seven followed by Thailand, Uzbekistan and Chinese-Taipei with four apiece. Japan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and North Korea account for two each.
There will be 50 slots up for grabs in the Italy qualifiers, 28 in men’s and 22 in women’s. In the Bangkok qualifiers, up to 51 boxers will advance. The IOC has allocated four universality slots for men in the 57kg, 63.5kg, 71kg and 80kg divisions and five for women in the 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg and 66kg divisions.
For the Philippines, the five male hopefuls are Rogen Ladon, 30 (51kg), Carlo Paalam, 25 (57kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo, 19 (63.5kg), Ronald Chavez, Jr., 24 (71kg) and John Marvin, 31 (92kg). The five female contenders are Aira Villegas, 28 (50kg), Claudine Veloso, 24 (54kg), Nesthy Petecio, 31 (57kg), Riza Pasuit, 31 (60kg) and Hergie Bacyadan, 29 (75kg).
Manalo said the 10-strong squad trained in Australia last Jan. 14-27 and will participate in the Boxam Tournament in Alicante, Spain on Jan. 29-Feb. 4. Then, the team will set up camp at the Infanta Cristina High Performance Center in Los Alcazares, Murcia, Spain on Feb. 4-28. The fighters will fly from Murcia to Italy for the first Olympic qualifier.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 17 Oct 2025California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Fri, 17 Oct 2025