Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan became the fourth and fifth Filipino boxers, respectively, to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics, following scintillating wins in the World Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament 2 on Sunday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bacyadan, who used to compete in Vovinam, breezed to a shutout 5-0 win over Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in their quota match to secure one of the four tickets at stake in their 75-kg weight class.
The Filipina previously survived Veronika Nakota of Hungary in the second round, scoring a 3-2 split decision to advance to the all-important quota bout.
Meanwhile, Paalam, the Tokyo Olympics’ silver medalist, found himself reeling against the ropes but amazingly managed to squeeze out of his predicament and is now on his way to Paris.
Paalam and Bacyadan made it five qualifiers from boxing after Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
The other 10 athletes headed to Paris are fencer Samantha Catantan, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, as well as pole vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza, and Erleen Ann Ando and rower Joanie Delgaco.
