Petecio, Paalam beef up PH boxing team for Tokyo Olympics

FILE – Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio celebrates after defeating Myanmar’s Oo Nwe Ni to claim the gold medal during the 30th South East Asian Games 2019 Women’s Featherweight (57 kg). INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ boxing contingent to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been beefed up after Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were given direct qualification to the Summer Games.

The International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force, through a notice sent to the Philippine Olympic Committee, deemed Petecio and Paalam as qualifiers by virtue of “their highest standing” in their respective weight classes, women’s featherweight and men’s flyweight, as per the Task Force’s rankings.

Eumir Marcial (men’s middleweight) qualified for the Olympics after taking gold in the Asia and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifiers while Irish Magno (women’s flyweight), booked her slot in the box-off round of the same tournament.

Abap President Ricky Vargas expressed his happiness with the development and rallied support for the four boxers who will represent the country in the Summer Games.

“Let us all get together and focus on the challenges ahead not only of our boxers but all Filipino athletes. Now, more than ever, they need us to stand firmly behind them,” said Vargas.

Apart from the four sluggers, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo are also going to the Olympics.

Rio silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is also a strong candidate to qualify for the Games as she just needs to step on the mat in the Olympic qualifying event that’s set for April 15 to 25 in Uzbekistan.