The Philippines’ Hergie Bacyadan hopes to move within a heartbeat of clinching a berth to the Paris Olympics when she goes up against Veronika Nakota of Hungary in the women’s 75 kg category Saturday afternoon, June 1, in the second World Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Hua Mak Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nakota, who originally fought for Ukraine but transferred to Hungary in the aftermath of the Russian invasion, is the Youth World Champion in 2022.
“Obviously she’s a very talented boxer,” said Marcus Manalo, secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines.
“Because of the war, she decided to move to Hungary to continue her training and since then has been competing for that country.”
Bacyadan is coming of a resounding 5-0 victory over Spain’s Dunia Mas Martinez.
National coach Ronald Chavez laid out Bacyadan’s basic fight plan:
“Kailangan lang mag-busy ang pang-jab nya para makahanap ng opening bago niya bitawan ang straight niya, at dapat masaktan niya kaagad para mag-alangan nang pumasok,” said Chavez.
“Pero kapag hindi naman ininda ang mga patama ni Hergie, dadaanin niya sa hit and move.”
Sticking to the strategy, Manalo said, will be crucial for Bacyadan.
“Nothing’s easy here since everyone’s desperate to qualify. Hergie’s opponent is a former Youth World Champion so she has the skills for sure,” the ABAP official said.
“Hergie needs to be really disciplined and stick to the fight plan and what worked for her in the previous bout which was to get to her range and set up her powerful attacks.”
Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam’s quarterfinal bout against Jose Luis De Los Santos Feliz of the Dominican Republic was hours away at press time, May 31, Friday.
