Highlanders Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan go for Olympic boxing glory

PARIS – Carlo Paalam starts another chase of Olympic glory while Hergie Bacyadan makes her debut in the world’s ultimate sporting competition Wednesday, carrying the pride of their folks back home.

In climbing the ring at the North Paris Arena, Paalam is to show his stuff as a warrior from the highlands of Talakag, Bukidnon while Bacyadan brings in the heart and soul of a Kalinga fighter.

“Dala ko ang pride ng Kalinga. Inspirasyon ko ang tribu namin sa aking laban,” said Bacyadan.

Paalam, silver medal winner as a 52kg. competitor in Tokyo in 2021, slugs it out with Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the afternoon session to kick off his Paris journey in the 57kg class.

In the Japanese capital, Paalam was also up against an Irish in his opening bout, and he was up to the task, scoring a 4-1 split decision over Brendan Irvine.

Meanwhile, Bacyadan is booked to battle in the evening, facing tall odds versus top seed Li Qian of China, bronze medalist in Rio in 2016 and silver winner in Tokyo.

Li is a bemedaled boxer but Bacyadan surely can’t be taken for granted as she’s not new to the art of fighting though in different disciplines – wushu and vovinam.

“Mas intense ang wushu dahil may suntok at sipa. Iba ang boxing, nag-back to zero ako dahil iba ang footwork,” said Bacyadan.

The Kalinga warrior had her previous shift from one sport to another, and she found success.

She hopes the same in her shift to boxing.

“Best gift kung ma-fulfill mo ang dream mo,” said Bacyadan, silver winner at the 2017 Wushu World Championships then winner of the ultimate prize in vovinam just last year.

Paalam and Bacyadan are both Filipino highlanders hoping to go high in these Games.