By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Hergie Bacyadan unleashed all her might to catch one of the four quotas for the 2024 Paris Olympics after edging Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the women’s 75kg at the 2nd World Boxing Qualifications in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, June 2.
The 29-year-old Kalinga native prevailed via unanimous decision with her super jabs in the last two rounds to become the 15th Filipino qualifier to Paris, joining fellow boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Carlo Paalam.
Paalam booked a return trip to the Olympics late Saturday, June 1, after outclassing Sachin Siwach of India in the men’s 57kg semifinal.
Foiled during the previous Olympic qualification in Italy with an early exit, Bacyadan tripled her efforts to master her craft this time by working on her shots methodically against the tough Yriza.
A right uppercut from Bacyadan late in the second round shook Yriza’s stance, and it gave her enough momentum into the third where she came with a flurry of punches to dominate the third.
Three judges scored 30-26 while the remaining two gave 29-27 for Bacyadan.
Bacyadan almost lost some gas in her Round of 16 match against Hungary’s Veronika Nakota the other day, winning by the slimmest of margins, 3-2, despite a one-point deduction early in the round.
But it fueled her desire to make it to the sports’ grandest stage, after trying out other sports such as wushu and vovinam.
Prior to her qualification, Bacyadan routed Spain’s Dunia Martinez Mas via unanimous decision.
With five boxers to Paris, it matched the number of fighters sent at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where Onyok Velasco captured the silver medal. The most number of Filipino boxers competing in the Olympics was six — in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona.
Hopes are also high for another gold medal this time to eclipse the country’s strong showing in the 2020 Tokyo edition where weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought home PH’s first gold medal.
In Tokyo, Filipino boxers went home with two silver medals from Paalam and Petecio, and a bronze from Marcial.
Meanwhile, other Filipino qualifiers to Paris are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, weightlifters John Febuar Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, rower Joanie Delgaco, and fencer Samantha Catantan.
