The Philippines may get another gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam.
Paalam has advanced to the finals match after dominating home bet Tanaka Ryomei in the men’s flyweight division semifinals at the Kokugikan Arena.
The 23-year-old Cagayan de Oro native is assured of a silver medal with his 5-0 unanimous decision win on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 5). Paalam secured his semifinals slot on Aug. 3 after stunning 2016 Olympics gold medalist Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan.
Based on his recent games records, the Filipino Olympian always secures the first crucial round of the game. He shared in an interview that this is the plan of his coaches, which he also used in his victory over Zoirov.
“Dapat makuha ko ‘yong first round kasi maghahabol po siya eh. Siya ‘yong maghahabol sa akin. Kasi kapag siya ‘yong nakakuha ng first round, ako ang maghahabol sa kanya,” Paalam said in an interview.
“So, kailangan ko talagang dumiskarte ng first round para makuha ko ‘yong first… Kasi alanganin ako kapag ako ‘yong naghahabol eh,” he added.
Despite his aggressive game plan, his coaches have stern instructions for the athlete when he is in the ring.
“‘Yong unang reminder sa akin na para sa akin lang, ‘yung huwag kang magmadali, laruin mo lang ‘yong laro mo, at tiwala ka sa sarili mo,” he said. – Report from Paolo Salamatin, PTV Sports/AG-rir
