Philippines’ Carlo Paalam and Britain’s Galal Yafai fight during their men’s fly (48-52kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Just shortly after wrapping up his first stint in the Olympics, Carlo Paalam is already looking forward to making his next one three years from now.
Paalam lost in the gold medal round to Galal Yafai of Great Britain in the men’s flyweight final at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
But that setback only fueled Paalam’s fire even more as he eyes to get that Olympic gold in Paris 2024.
“Whatever opportunity God gives me but hopefully, soon in Paris. I’m going to continue my training to win the gold medal,” Paalam said in Filipino after his split decision loss.
“We may not have control over our fate but I will do whatever it takes.”
The 23-year-old Paalam lamented his first round knockdown but refused to dwell on it.
Instead, he has set his sights on what the future holds—a promising one for that matter after the Cagayan de Oro native’s silver medal finish.
“Had it not been for my knockdown in the first round, I would’ve had a better chance at taking the gold. But it is what it is. I just want to redeem myself. That’s all I have to say.”
