Disappointed, hurt, and angry, Carlo Paalam faced the end of his Olympic Games Paris 2024 bid on Saturday evening, defeated by Australia’s Charlie Senior.
The 25-year-old native of Bukidnon engaged in a close bout against Senior, who was three years his junior.
Paalam, the reigning silver medalist in the men’s flyweight division, dominated the opening round. However, the 2023 Pacific Games light welterweight champion recovered in the second stanza to force a winner-take-all round.
The third round was nip-and-tuck, with Paalam clearly the aggressor, while Senior connected with his counters.
When the bout went to the scorecards, Paalam’s heart dropped upon hearing the decision: Only two judges scored the bout in his favor.
Paalam’s Parisian dream ended with nothing.
“Sobrang dismayado. Siyempre, tiniyaga ko kahit madami akong injury talaga e. Sa ribs ko, legs ko, balikat ko, sobrang sakit pero pinipilit ko talaga kasi ayaw ko ma-disappoint ang Pilipinas, pamilya ko, at sarili ko,” he lamented to One Sports.
Paalam, filled with regrets, believed he was the clear victor of the bout.
“Klaro naman talaga yung score dapat, sa akin lahat ‘yun. Wala naman sa kanyang tumatama. Sorry talaga. Ginawa ko talaga yung best ko at lamang talaga ako e. Pasensya sa lahat,” Paalam expressed sorrowfully.
“Lamang talaga ako. Mindset ko lang, laruin yung laro ko. Wala naman talaga siyang tama na solid sa akin, puro lagpas nga e. Sa akin, clear na clear pero ganun talaga. Punahin natin yung kulang.”
Having been in the sport since he was seven years old, Paalam is now looking to take a long break to ponder his future in boxing.
But whatever lies ahead, he knows deep down that he has fulfilled his duty to the country.
“Siguro ngayon, pahinga muna ako. Pag-isipan ko pa kung lalaro pa ako.”
