Carlo Paalam atoned for a medal-less outing two years ago, this time conquering the men’s light flyweight category in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games boxing finals, Monday at PICC Forum.
The Cagayan de Oro native — the lone Filipino who did not bag a medal in the 2017 Games in Kuala Lumpur — won over Indonesia’s Kornelis Kwangu Langu via unanimous decision.
“Sobrang saya ko po. Salamat sa Panginoon talaga,” said Paalam after he got his first SEA Games medal.
Snagging the gold was the perfect finish of Paalam’s solid campaign in the regional biennial meet.
Firstly, he reigned triumphant over Khamphouvanh Khamsathone of Laos via UD in the quarterfinals. He then ended the reign of Mohd Muhamad Fuad in the next stage.
The 21-year-old Paalam finally got the payback he has been looking for in that semifinal victory, as his Malaysian opponent was the very reason why he did not win a medal in Malaysia.
