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:
Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Pacman back into full-time boxing
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
Tue, 02 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
By Eric Armit, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Sep 2025OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025"The Return" Weights from Detroit
Sun, 31 Aug 2025Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 30 Aug 2025