Carlo Paalam.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Derailed by a hurting shoulder during the previous Olympic boxing qualifier, Carlo Paalam is back in harness for a last-gasp attempt to book a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I can still feel a little bit of pain, but I can punch now with more power,’’ said the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist prior to his departure to Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday for the final Paris qualification tournament.
Paalam got slammed to the canvas by Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla during their round-of-32 men’s 57-kilogram bout at the first world qualification tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, in March, injuring his right shoulder.
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“I’m good to go and it’s no longer an issue. I expect full recovery in time for the qualifier,’’ said Paalam.
The 25-year-old pride of Talakag, Bukidnon, will join 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympian Rogen Ladon (men’s flyweight), Criztian Pitt Laurente (men’s light welterweight) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s middleweight) at the Bangkok World Qualification Tournament 2 scheduled May 23 to June 3.
Medalists in Paalam’s division will snatch the last tickets to Paris.
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Five boxers will qualify from Laurente’s weight class while Ladon and Bacyaden should reach the semifinal of their respective divisions to book Olympic spots.