Paris Olympic-bound Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, and Aira Villegas and their coaches together with ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Dickie Bachmann during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, June 11, 2024 in Manila. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.
MANILA — The Philippines is set to send five of its best boxers to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in July.
The sport which has brought the most Olympic medals to our country with eight — four with silver and four with bronze — is expected to deliver yet again for the Philippines, especially with the roster of pugilists who are bound for the Summer Games.
Tokyo silver medalists Carlo Paalam (men's 57kg) and Nesthy Petecio (women's 57kg), bronze medalist Eumir Marcial (men's 80kg), as well as first-time Olympians Hergie Bacyadan (women's 75kg) and Aira Villegas (women's 50kg) will be representing flag and country come July.
And with the pedigree that these boxers carry, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Marcus Manalo is confident of the quintet's chances of finally getting PH's first gold in the sport.
"We feel that we have to go to the podium and go all the way," he shared during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday in Manila.
"Ako, personally, I feel that this is the best chance for us to win that elusive gold medal in the Olympics."
One major factor for Manalo's optimism is the difficult road that the Filipino boxers had to go through just to qualify for the Games, as he believes that these challenges have prepared them well enough to perform at their best in Paris.
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READ: Eumir Marcial eyes gold medal in 2024 Paris Games
"Pag nag uusap-usap kami, we focus on the process and we let the results take care of itself, but we're very optimistic na this is really a strong five that we're bringing. They went through a lot just to be able to qualify, so nung nag qualify na, we really have the chance to go all the way," he explained.
Aside from this, it is also how they have been extensively training for their games as well as embracing the pressure of not only representing the county but living up to the expectations.
"Just like everyone, we want to get there. Gusto nating maramdaman yun. We want to get that, but we are more focused on the steps on how we're gonna get there," Manalo said.
"That's everyone's hope, for us to be able to finally get that elusive gold medal. Lahat tayo gusto yun, isa yan sa north star ng ating team. But obviously, the goal is not completely under our control."
"What's under our control are our preparations, our performances, so yun yung focus. Yung gold medal will just be a natural by-product of our team, officials, and sponsors. Ganun namin siya ia-approach."
"There's a lot of pressure and expectations, but I think, at this point, we have embraced that. Kasama na natin yan sa ginagawa natin. Pressure builds diamonds, ika nga, diba? So sana nga," he continued.
READ: Paalam earns return trip to Olympics
READ: Hergie Bacyadan punches ticket to Paris Olympics
The Filipino boxers, their trainers, and staff will fly to France on July 22 to hold a training camp there, and following this is a three-week camp in Germany where they will be sparring with fighters from countries such as the United States, Australia, India, Thailand, Cuba, and Mongolia.