Paris Olympics: Hergie Bacyadan faces tall order in boxing opener

FILE–Team Philippines Hergie Bacyadan is competing in the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s boxing competition. –Cignal TV PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024

MANILA, Philippines—Hergie Bacyadan may be facing a tougher route in the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s boxing tournament compared to her Team Philippines compatriots.

Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial earned byes into the Round of 16 but Bacyadan will have to work a bit harder as her first opponent in Olympic debut is China’s Li Qian.

In contrast to Bacyadan, Li is as seasoned as a veteran could get.

The Chinese bet has already had her taste of Olympic triumph as she won bronze in the Rio 2016 Games. He also has a pile of gold medals from the Women’s World Boxing Championships and the Asian Games.

Paris Olympics: Team Philippines’ Hergie Bacyadan (boxing)

But if Bacyadan wins in the David vs. Goliath affair, she only needs one more win to be assured of a podium finish for Team Philippines.

Paalam, meanwhile, will face Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in his first bout in the men’s 52kg category.

Marcial will have a hit of nostalgia in his first match in the 57kg category as he will face Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak–the man who made him settle for bronze in Tokyo, three years ago.

Much like Bacyadan, Paalam and Marcial need to win two bouts in order to be assured of a medal.

Team Philippines in Paris Olympics 2024: Meet the athletes

The same can’t be said for Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, though, as they both need to win three matches for a medal finish.

Villegas slugs it out with Morocco bet Yasmine Mouttaki in the women’s 50kg class while Petecio clashes with India’s Jaismine Lamboria in the women’s 57kg category.

Villegas will be the first to compete for Team Philippines on Monday (Manila time).