Will Tanamor Win the Gold for RP?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Jul 2008
Harry Tanamor is the Philippines' lone boxing entry at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He vowed to give his best to become the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist since the country first joined the world?s biggest sports gathering in 1924.
Coach Pat Gaspi said boxers from Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Thailand and Korea are among the top competitors for the gold medal in the light-flyweight category but the biggest challenge will be against Chinese boxer Zou Shiming.
Already assured of a slot in the Beijing Games, Tanamor went for the gold but was defeated by Shiming of China who scored 16-3 in the finals of the World Boxing Championships at the University of Illinois-Chicago last year. Tanamor hurt his left hand while eluding Shiming?s punches early in the bout and failed to recover in the later rounds.
If Tanamor will win the country's first Olympic gold, he will get a promotion and a cash incentive, as assured by Philippine Armed Forces chief of staff General Alexander Yano. General Yano made the pledge when he met Tanamor, an Army sergeant, and the rest of the 15-member Philippine Olympic delegation.
Filipino athletes who will win gold medals in Beijing are already slated to receive a prize of seven million pesos from the national government and corporate sponsors. The closest the Philippines have come are two silvers for boxing in 1964 by Anthony Villanueva and 1996 by Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics boxing competition is so tough and solid that Gaspi said winning three of his fights will guarantee Tanamor of garnering at least a bronze medal. He added that the pronouncement of the International Amateur Boxing Association to limit the 48-kg division to just 32 of the world?s best light-flyweight boxers made the situation even brighter. Tanamor's self-confidence is attributed to his two-month long training in Havana, Cuba, under Cuban mentor Dagoberto Rojas Scott and Gaspi.
?Harry is in better form and has enough preparation. I think he can win an Olympic medal in Beijing,? said Cuban coach Enrique Steyners Tisserts who helped train our Filipino bet. He, however, refused to foresee if Tanamor could finally bring home the country?s first Olympic gold in his second attempt. Tanamor competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics but failed to advance past the second round. He was knocked out in the round of 16 by Hong Moo-Won of Korea.
The 30-year-old Zamboangue?o is the fifth of nine siblings and his interest in boxing glimmered when he was 19 through the persuasion of his older brothers who were also boxers in their hometown. His formal training only began in 1999 when he was 21 years old. He competed in the National Open and in the Philippine National Games in Zamboanga.
The southpaw won bronze medals at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Belfast and 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Bangkok. He won a silver medal in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
Thu, 09 Apr 2026IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Overweight Paradero cancels bout
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 08 Apr 2026WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
Wed, 08 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Apr 2026