*ROAD TO PARIS OLYMPICS FOR THE CITY’S BOXING PRIDE
by JOEL C. ESCOL, Managing Editor
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – This city’s boxing pride Carlo Paalam has secured his entry to the upcoming Paris Olympics after successfully demolishing his rival from India via unanimous decision, in the men’s 57kg qualifying round held in Thailand, Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Paalam won all three rounds with his scores 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 to join other boxers in Paris with other boxers, including Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas.
The Southeast Asian gold medalist defeated India’s Sachin Siwach men’s 57kg semifinals that catapulted his return to the olympics after failing his last two campaigns for the olympics.
During the elimination rounds, Carlo Paalam moved closer to securing a spot in the Paris Games by advancing to the medal round of the 2nd World Boxing Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday evening, May 31.
Paalam, a silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, dominated Jose Luis de los Santos of the Dominican Republic with a decisive 5-0 victory in their quarterfinals showdown in the men’s 57 kg division.
In the round of 16, Paalam defeated Artur Bazeyan of Armenia by a split decision, 4-1, securing his place in the quarterfinals against de los Santos.
Following his victory, Paalam faced India’s Sachin in the semifinals on Saturday, June 1, which secured him the slot to the Paris Olympics in August.
