MANILA – Hergie Bacyadan became the 15th Filipino Olympian and the fifth boxer to qualify for the Paris Games after winning her quarterfinal bout in the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday (02 June 2024).
Bacyadan defeated Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the women’s 75 kg category via unanimous decision.
The Kalinga native’s qualification came less than 24 hours after Carlo Paalam secured his return trip to the quadrennial summer Games in the same Bangkok tournament.
At 28, Bacyadan is also a world vovinam champion, having won the women’s combat 66 kg division of the Vietnamese martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2023.
She first joined the Philippine Wushu team in 2016, later transitioned to boxing, returned to martial arts, and then seized the opportunity to box again to achieve her Olympic dream.
Bacyadan and Paalam will join 13 other Filipinos in Paris, including fellow boxers, Tokyo Olympians Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio, and first-time Olympian Aira Villegas.
The PH team also includes gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, LeVi Jung-Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza; rower Joanie Delgaco; and fencer Sam Catantan.
(Rep. by el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxer Hergie Bacyadan advanced to the women’s 75kg round of 16 at the 2nd World Qualification Tournament after scoring a 5-0 win over Spanish Dunia Martinez in Bangkok, Thailand late Monday (27 May 2024) night.
Bacyadan and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) are the last two Philippine bets standing in this final Paris Olympics boxing pathway.
On the other hand, Paalam, who faces Turkmen Shukur Ovezov on Tuesday night, has to place at least third in his division to make his Olympiad return.
Meanwhile, Rio Olympian Rogen Ladon (51kg) and Criztian Pitt Laurente (men’s 63.5kg) have already kissed their Olympic bids goodbye after losing their opening bouts.
(el Amigo/MNM)