A world champion is now heading to the Olympics.
Vovinam world titleholder Hergie Bacyadan fulfilled her dream of participating in sports’ biggest showpiece after a unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the 2024 Boxing 2nd World Olympic Qualification Tournament, Sunday.
Less than 24 hours after Carlo Paalam secured his return trip to the quadrennial Games, Bacyadan – who also competed in wushu sanda for the country – completed the roster for boxing in Paris next month.
Tokyo medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial had previously booked their tickets, along with debutante Aira Villegas, for the sport that garnered most of the country’s Olympic medals.
Artistic gymnastics followed suit with the most number of athletes, totaling four, led by two-time World champion Carlos Yulo and joined by Alleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo.
Weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Ceniza are also set to compete in the French capital, alongside world no. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and a pair of first-timers in rowing’s Joanie Delgaco and fencing’s Samantha Catantan.
