CARLO PAALAM QUALIFIES FOR PARIS OLYMPICS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Jun 2024
Carlo Paalam grabbed a slot to the 2024 Paris Olympics late Saturday evening after clutching a unanimous decision victory over India’s Sachin Siwach in the semifinal round of the men’s 57kg division at the World Boxing Olympic Qualification in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist have passed through a more difficult journey in going back to the Olympics. He failed to qualify during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year. Then he lost the opportunity to book a ticket to Paris when he lost in the first World Olympic Qualification in Busto Arsizio, Italy last March due to a shoulder injury. This time his dream to be back at the Olympics has been fulfilled.
Paalam won all three rounds, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, in all the five judges' scorecards to join the four other Filipino Olympic boxing qualifiers that include Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas.
He started his campaign with victories over Greece’s Alexei Lagkazasvili and Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezo both by unanimous decision. Then he earned a win over Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan in the round of 16 via a tiebreak.
The pride of Talakag, Bukidnon then conquered Dominican Republic’s Jose Luis delos Santos Feliz via unanimous decision in the quarterfinals to arrange a match with Siwach.
There were three Paris Olympic slots available in his 57kg division, and Paalam could still have a chance even if he lost to his Indian opponent as the losers in the semifinals would face each other in a box off for the last Olympic spot.
But the 25-year-old Paalam wanted to grab the chance immediately by giving his all in the ring against the taller Siwach. He did not show signs of slowing in the third round despite leading in all scorecards after two rounds.
Hergie Bacyadan could still make it five Philippine boxers in the Olympics in July with a win today against Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg division. ABAP sent four boxers in the previous Tokyo Olympics. It was the most successful boxing delegation with Petecio and Paalam winning silver medals and Marcial earning a bronze.
Paalam became the 14th Filipino to qualify for Paris, including boxers Marcial, Villegas, and Petecio. The rest are EJ Obiena (pole vault), Samantha Catantan (fencing), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Alleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics), Levi Ruivivar (gymnastics), Joanie Delgado (rowing), John Febuar Ceniza (weightlifting), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), and Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting).
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