BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
FILIPINO boxers are looking to capitalize on their massive SEA Games success as they begin their chase for Tokyo Games berths – first in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in Wuhan, China.
The Wuhan slugfest slated on Feb. 3 to 14 stakes six berths each in the men’s 52kg, 57kg and 63kg; five each in the 69kg and 75kg, and four apiece in the 91kg and +91kgs.
World qualifiers will have 3 to 5 slots depending on the weight class.
The other will be the World Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled May 13 to 24 in Paris, France.
In the women’s division, Continental qualifiers stake six tickets in the 51kg and four each in the 57kg, 60kg, 69kg and 75kg. World qualifier will have three to six slots depending on the weight category.
Association of Boxing Alliances Inc secretary general Ed Picson said the boxers are foregoing the holiday break to focus on their training especially with the Continental qualifiers happening in less than two months.
“Our focus is to qualify early,” he said.
In the recent SEA Games, the national boxing team accounted for seven of the country’s 149 golds. They also had three silver and two bronze medals.
World champion Nesthy Petecio is one of the country’s top hopefuls to earn a slot to the Tokyo Games.
Other strong candidates are Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Charly Suarez, James Palicte, Eumir Marcial and Josie Gabuco, who won SEAG gold medals.
Onyok Velasco came close to winning an Olympic gold but eventually settled for silver during the 1996 Atlanta Games.
