THREE major international boxing tournaments are lined up this September for the PLDT-ABAP national team as a prelude to the AIBA World Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan next month.
Four young recruits – Jason Daming (46kgs), Hipolito Banal Jr. (48kgs), Paul Gilbert Galagnao (52kgs) and Mike Angelo Plania (54kgs) – flew to Kiev, Ukraine on Thursday for the September 5-16 AIBA 15 & 16 World Juniors Championships where Eumir Felix Marcial won the gold in the light bantamweight class two years ago in Astana, Kazakhstan.
They were accompanied by ABAP executive director Ed Picson and coaches Ronald Chavez and Romeo Brin.
Next up is the Sydney Jackson Memorial Boxing Tournament set September 11-17 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan with Rogen Ladon (49kgs), Ian Clark Bautista (52kgs), Jonas Bacho (56kgs), James Palicte (60kgs), and reserves Roldan Bongcales Jr. (52kgs) and Junel Cantancio (60kgs).
Joining them are coaches Elmer Pamisa and Pat Gaspi.
Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga captured gold medals in the tournament in the light flyweight division in 2011 and 2012.
Wrapping up this month’s events is the Aiba Women’s Youth and Junior Championships from September 20-29 in Albena, Bulgaria. Lined up are Jenie Mirana (44-46kgs) and Aira Villegas (44-48kgs).
With them are coaches Roel Velasco and Mitchel Martinez and team manager Karina Picson.
“We’re very excited about our young discoveries since we embarked on an extensive grassroots development program,” said Abap president Ricky Vargas. “To date, we have qualified an Olympian and produced four Asian Games champions. The future looks bright for Philippine amateur boxing.”
“It’s going to be the first international appearance for our new recruits and it’s a major competition,” said Picson, referring to the Kiev slugfest. “We hope they do well.”
The World Championship is scheduled October 11-27.
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