Paris Olympics: Carlo Paalam leans on his brains in opening win

Team Philippines’ Carlo Paalam celebrates after winning against Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s 57kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris Olympics at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 31, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Team Philippines’ Carlo Paalam had one game plan heading into his first bout in the Paris Olympics 2024’s boxing tournament at North Paris Arena on Wednesday night (Manila time).

While punching power was important in his 57kg Round of 16 match against Ireland’s Jude Gallagher, it was Paalam’s brain that got him through for a unanimous decision finish to advance in the quarterfinals.

“Strength is useless if you can’t land a clear punch. I thought to give 30 percent of my power and my brain to be 70 percent,” said Paalam in Filipino in an interview with One Sports.

“In my every fight, I always say, win or lose, I’ll do my best so I don’t have anything to regret when I go down from that ring.”

Paalam’s wiseness gave him more clear cut shots against Gallagher, who looked lost from beginning to end thanks to the Filipino bet’s smart movements.

The Team Philippine slugger convincingly won the first round and never looked back.

But the road to another medal finish is still quite far for Paalam, as he needs to win two more matches to be assured of a podium finish in the summer games.

So with the quarters happening on Saturday at 9:30 pm, Manila time, Paalam will have his fellow Filipinos in mind to avoid disappointment and reach the elusive medal finish.

“I’ll win every fight because all the Filipinos who came here bought expensive tickets. This is for them.”