CARLO Paalam and Rogen Ladon bowed out of the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arizio, Italy after suffering contrasting fates early Monday morning (Manila time).
Ladon lost to Kiaran MacDonald, 4-1, in the Last 16 of the men's 51 kg class while Paalam failed to finish his fight in the 57 kg class against Shukur Ovezov of Turkmenistan due to an apparent shoulder injury.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist quit the fight against the Turkmenistan with still a minute left in the second round. Paalam hurt his shoulder during his previous fight against Andrey Bonilla of Mexico.
He later apologized on his Facebook page and admitted an injury hampered his campaign in the first of two qualifiers for boxing to the Paris Olympics.
Paalam apology
"Unfortunately, I sustained an injury in my last match that hasn’t fully healed, and during the course of the fight, it became apparent that continuing would risk further damage,” said Paalam.
“Rest assure I am focused on recovering fully so I can come back stronger and continue pursuing my passion for boxing.”
The exit of Paalam and Ladon left the lady pair of Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas to carry the Olympic hopes for the country.
Petecio scored a 5-0 unanimous decision against 18-year-old Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands to advance to the semifinals of the women’s 57 kg class.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medal winner will now battle Esra Yildiz of Turkey, with a win guaranteeing her a return to the Olympiad.
Also a win away from booking a berth to Paris is Villegas in the women’s 50 kg following a 5-0 thrashing of Sofie Vinter Rosshaug of Denmark in their Round of 16 clash.
The Filipina will now face Bulgarian Zlatislava Chukanova in the quarterfinals, eyeing a win to make it to Paris.
The remaining four in Villegas’ class will advanced outright to the Olympics.
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