AN official of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) doesn’t want to make a medal projection for the Paris Olympics, but the federation is confident that the boxers have the capacity to make a podium finish based on their preparations.
ABAP secretary general Marcus Jarwin Manalo said the five boxers in Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, and Hergie Bacyadan have what it takes to compete for medals, but, at the same time, it won’t be easy as they will also be pitted against the best in the world.
“When you talk about medals, it’s always hard to predict kasi these are the best of the best na,” said Manalo in an interview before leaving for France for their final build-up for the Olympics.
“The qualification process pa lang, napakahirap na. We are optimistic because ‘yung mga boxers na dala natin, ‘yung lima, we feel like ilalaban nila ito. It’s hard to say we are going to win medals and things like that but I believe that we are capable of getting to the podium,” he added.
“But again, it’s not going to be easy. It’s the highest level of competition, but they have the tools to make it happen."
The boxing team is coming in with high expectations after a two-silver, one-bronze showing in the Tokyo Olympics.
Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, who fell one win short of the gold in Tokyo, are returning in the Olympics together with bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, who's primed to also be in contention for the crown in Paris.
But for Manalo, the boxing team is considering the Paris Olympics as a new chapter as the circumstances from three years ago is different from the present.
For one, Marcial will be fighting at a heavier weight category of 80 kg, from 75, in Paris. It is the same case as Paalam, who moved up from 52 kg to 57.
“’Yung dalawang medalist noon, from lower weight class, it’s totally different. The experience helps, but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” said Manalo.
“We are approaching it as a fresh start talaga. ‘Yung pandemic (during Tokyo Olympics), iba ‘yung context eh. Walang tournaments masyado, lahat naka-lock down, kanya-kanyang training camp. Iba talaga ‘yung context noon compared to now,” he continued.
“Hopefully, the experience will come to play. It will help them navigate the Olympic experience. It’s not always pleasant. It’s high pressure environment. But hopefully, that will help ‘yung mga returning Olympians."
After leaving Manila for the Philippine delegation's training camp in Metz, France, some of the members of the boxing team also had a stop in Germany as part of the build-up.
Marcial will be the first to see action on July 27, while Paalam and Villegas will follow on July 28. Petecio and Bacyadan will unfurl their Olympic medal bid on July 30 and 31 respectively.
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