By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – Six days after his controversial quarterfinals defeat, Carlo Paalam has not changed his belief that he won that fight fair and square.
“I won’t raise my hands if I don’t believe that I won that fight,” said Paalam on Friday, Aug. 9, after watching horribly the performance of weightlifter Vanessa Sarno at the South Paris Arena 6 in Versailles.
“Until now, my belief was still the same,” said Paalam after a fan took a selfie with him inside the sprawling facility.
On the night gymnast Carlos Yulo won the first of his two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, Paalam suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Australian Charlie Senior, a defeat that sparked furor among Filipinos here.
Even Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino did not take it sitting down. He was furious.
“Sayang, isang medalya ang nawala sa atin,” said Tolentino.
Only 26, Paalam vowed to make amends, eyeing another stab at Olympic glory in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Paalam was one of the two silver medalists from the boxing team during the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games – the other was Nesthy Petecio.
“Pahinga muna ako sa atin, tapos training ulit ng maigi,” said the pride of Cagayan de Oro City.
Prior to his quarterfinal loss, Paalam was masterful in his 5-0 win over Ireland’s Jude Gallagher (5-0) in Round of 16. He drew an opening round bye.
