Carlo Paalam misses out on Paris Olympics medal after quarterfinal exit

Team Philippines’ Carlo Paalam, right, lands a punch against Australia’s Charlie Senior in their men’s 57kg quarterfinal boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Carlo Paalam was shown the door in the men’s 57kg division at the Paris Olympics 2024 after losing an ultra-tight quarterfinal duel late Saturday (Manila time) against Australia’s Charlie Senior.

Senior defeated Paalam, 3-2, in a dramatic battle that featured furious exchanges in the final two rounds after a tentative start by both boxers in their quarterfinal duel at North Paris Arena.

RESULTS: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 August 3

Paalam began his attack in the second round to seize control of the match, launching combinations and landing clean shots against the game Senior, who managed to land effective but limited counters.

Both fighters fought evenly in the third, producing the result that would have been debatable even if the Filipino had won.

READ: Paris Olympics: Carlo Paalam advances to boxing quarterfinals

Paalam was looking to win a second Olympic medal after finishing with a silver in Tokyo.

Instead, he joins fellow eliminated boxers Eumior Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan at the sidelines, leaving the Philippines with two fighters left, Petecio and Aira Villegas.