Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2020 Tokyo Olympics

Paalam’s valiant stand not enough vs British foe, takes home Olympic silver


Carlo Paalam’s valiant stand was not enough to overcome Great Britain’s Galal Yafai, bowing via split decision in the 2020 Olympic men’s flyweight final, Saturday at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.

Paalam will take home silver in the event — the country’s fourth silver in boxing. He joins Anthony Villanueva (1964), Onyok Velasco (1996), and Nesthy Petecio (2020) as Filipino pugilists who took silver in the quadrennial meet.

And a first-round knockdown by the 28-year-old Brit proved to be the difference.

Paalam, who had youth on his side, was starting off aggressively, stalking the much-taller Yafai early on. A solid 1-2 combination by Yafai though knocked down Paalam with 1:50 left.

Though Paalam was able to break the eight count, the native of Cagayan de Oro was in full survival mode to end the opening stanza.

Paalam tried to make up for it in the second and third rounds but Yefai’s counterpunching negated all of Paalam’s attempts.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon sa pagbbigay ng lakas sa akin at naabot ko ang pangarap ko, first time kong nakalaro ng Olympics sa ganitong edad ko,” Paalam said. “Halos lahat ng mga magagaling nandito, mga second time Olympian, mga ilang taon nang naging Olympian … ako papasok pa lang.”

Yafai will take home Great Britain’s first gold in the weight division in 65 years.

Still, Paalam, who slew Ireland’s Brendan Irvine, Algeria’s Mohamed Flissi, Rio champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan, and hometown bet Ryomie Tanaka to get to this point, had a successful campaign. And with him just being 23-year-old, this campaign is just the beginning of his Olympic journey.

#ReadMore  RDJ glad to see F2 Logistics back playing, but remains wary of conditioning

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines President Ricky Vargas praised all four Filipino boxers in Tokyo, including women’s flyweight Irish Magno, for their accomplishment.

“My gratitude to team ABAP—four boxers going home with two silvers and one bronze, we’re very proud of all of you,” Vargas said in a statement. “Sumbag Pinoy! Salamat sa lahat ng supporta PSC [Philippine Sports Commission], POC [Philippine Olympic Committee] at MVP Sports Foundation.

“Without your support, we could have not achieved this level of performance. Sana nandyan pa kayo in the future.”

Written By


You May Also Like

19th Asian Games

Carlo Paalam was unable to advance to the semifinals after losing to reigning world champion Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan in their 57 kg quarterfinal...

19th Asian Games

Carlo Paalam joined Eumir Marcial in the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games boxing competitions, having defeated Uulu Munarbek Seiitbek of Kyrgyzstan in a...

19th Asian Games

Carlo Paalam skillfully avoided danger and executed precise hits that ultimately led to his victory over Jordan’s Mohammad Jajeh Abu in their opening bout...

32nd SEA Games

Wherever the late president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, Ed Picson, may be, chances are he is smiling. ABAP secretary-general...

32nd SEA Games

Carlo Paalam’s magical run continues as he secured his second Southeast Asian Games title and his first in the men’s boxing bantamweight (under-54 kg)...

32nd SEA Games

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio proved to be too much for Vy Sreysros of Cambodia on Wednesday, scoring a 5-0 win in the...

32nd SEA Games

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam breezed past the bantamweight quarterfinals, as did Paul Julyfer Bascon in the light welterweight class of the men’s...

32nd SEA Games

Carlo Paalam and Paul Julyfer Bascon are determined to make their mark in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, Paalam, who recently won a silver...

Advertisement