CARLO Paalam lost last night in the fight for the Quarter Finals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Men’s Division.
It was a painful loss, given that Carlo did superbly well in the 3rd and final round. With his close 3-2 victory in the 1st round, I jumped in joy as the bell ending the last round rung. Had Carlo won, the next bout would have been a fight for a Silver Medal. Then the Gold.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
Carlo’s quest for the Olympic Gold Medal was riddled with many difficult and daunting obstructions that seemed endless and insurmountable. But he never gave up. Neither did he falter.
First was the scrapping in the Paris 2024 Olympics, made as early as when the Tokyo 2021 Olympics had ended, of the 52-kg weight category, making the 57-kg weight level as Carlo’s only option in the Paris Games. This explains why ALL of Carlo’s opponents in this class were bigger and taller. This heavier level was just very difficult for him.
Second, he badly injured his shoulder in his match against a rough and dirty Mexican in an Olympic-Qualifying tournament in Italy in March this year, or just about 4 months ago, that resulted to his failing to pass the said Qualifying Round, as he could not anymore endure the succeeding match. That Mexican bully wrestled Carlo in the 3rd round of their match, as he clearly became desperate with Carlo’s formidable dominance. He dropped Carlo to the canvass. That injury seemed career-ending from all indications, and Carlo’s Olympic future looked very bleak, especially given the proximity of the Paris Olympics and since there was only ONE Olympic-Qualifying Tournament left before the Games, that in May (or no more than 2 months after the injury) to be held in Thailand.
How Carlo could recover to even come close to his fighting form, in just 2 months after the painful injury in Italy, to make it to the Olympic-Qualifying Tournament in Thailand, and finish it on top of the field, and even all the more, to be in competitive shape for the Paris Olympics after another 2 months, in both events against heavier and taller opponents, was virtually a wonder. A miracle even.
But Carlo did it! Against all the odds!
The quest for the Olympic Gold in the Men’s Division may have been halted with Carlo’s unfortunate loss, but we pray that it is only temporary.
We are eternally grateful to Carlo for his unequalled courage and grit. He is unfailingly undaunted and awed by any opponent. From very humble beginnings, he rose to become our country’s shining light. He showed unending love to his family and his community. And he always has been generous, especially to those who had followed his footsteps.We eagerly await for Carlo’s return to Cagayan de Oro, so we can hug him and thank him for giving his all to this quest. Daghang salamat, Carlo. And welcome!
ATTY. OSCAR MORENO
