Paalam, Bacyadan punch their way to Olympics

(UPDATE) CARLO Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan earned the right to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics after outlasting their respective opponents in the 2nd World Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Filipina boxer Hergie Bacyadan fulfilled her Olympic dream after winning via unanimous decision against Venezuela's Maryelis Yriza in the women's 75 kg class on Sunday.

Three judges gave Bacyadan a 30-26 mark, while the two judges both scored her 29-27.

Hergie Bacyadan (left) and Carlo Paalam. ASBC PHOTOS

Bacyadan landed powerful jabs in the second round and put up a right uppercut to Yriza, causing the Venezuelan to lose her balance.

The 29-year-old boxer stretched her momentum until the third round, sending the Venezuelan boxer a flurry of punches to gain the advantage and finally secure the victory.

Meanwhile, Filipino boxer Paalam made his second-straight Olympics appearance as he defeated India's Sachin Siwach (5-0) in the semifinals of the men's 57 kg division on Saturday night.

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Paalam suffered a previous setback in the 1st World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Italy, where he absorbed defeat from Turkmenistan's Shukur Ovezov while suffering from a shoulder injury.

Paalam bounced back strongly in the second round of the tourney and made sure he would represent the Philippines once more in the Olympics.

Paalam and Bacyadan will join fellow Olympic-bound boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.

Overall, the Philippines so far has 15 qualified athletes for the Paris Games.

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Besides the five boxers, the other Paris-bound athletes are gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo; weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza and Vanessa Sarno; pole vaulter Ernest John «EJ» Obiena; rower Joanie Delgaco; and fencer Samantha Catantan.