After Tokyo, Eumir Marcial wants another shot at Olympic gold
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak (red) and Philippines’ Eumir Marcial hug after their men’s middle (69-75kg) semi-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 5, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Eumir Marcial’s goal of winning an Olympic gold doesn’t end in Tokyo.
After coming close to reaching the summit—falling just two wins short—Marcial is hellbent on continuing his gold medal quest again.
“If they give me the chance against and the opportunity to compete, in another Olympics, I‘ll just grab the opportunity and I will work hard again to win the gold medal,” Marcial said shortly after losing to the tank-like Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine to settle for the bronze in the middleweight on Thursday.
The Tokyo Games marked Marcial’s first foray into the Olympics.
Marcial was the favorite to win the gold but despite not making the final, the Zamboanga native still showed out in his maiden campaign.
He won his first two bouts in opening-round stoppage, including a knockout in the quarterfinal, before losing steam in a three-round slugfest against Khyzhniak, who chalked up his 62nd consecutive win.
For now, though, the 25-year-old Marcial plans to make up for lost time with his loved ones.
“After this, I’ll just rest for a couple of months and go back to training and look for another pro fight,” said Marcial, who dominated Andrew Whitfield in his pro debut last December five months after signing a six-year deal with MP Promotions. “I’ll spend time with my family and maybe plan a wedding with my fiancé.”
