Carlo Paalam moved one victory away from ending the Philippines’ 16-year Asian Games boxing gold-medal drought after edging two-time world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan via split decision in the men’s 55kgs semifinals, Wednesday, at Nishio Gymnasium.
Paalam rallied after Sabyrkhan took the second round, using sharp straight punches and his counter-punching game to secure the deciding third round and a 3-2 victory.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist will now face Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi in the gold-medal match on Friday, with a chance to deliver the Philippines’ first Asian Games boxing gold since Rey Saludar’s triumph in Guangzhou in 2010.
Paalam credited his coaches and his ability to adjust inside the ring for getting past Sabyrkhan.
“Sobrang intense, sobrang mabigat din po na kalaban si Sabyrkhan. Magaling, matalino din maglaro. Sa strategy at talino ko sa taas ng ring at tiwala ko sa coaches ko sa instructions. Kaya nung nag-click ’yung diskarte ko, tuloy-tuloy na,” said Paalam.
With the gold now within reach, Paalam said he will leave the outcome to God while focusing on doing his best against Yamaguchi.
“Gawin ko lang iyung best ko palagi. Hindi ko po hawak ang decision. Gawin ko lang best, kunin ko iyung hinihintay nating gold medal. Gawin ko lang iyung best ko araw-araw.”
ABAP president Marcus Manalo said the opportunity to finally end the long drought could provide additional motivation for Paalam.
“We have a chance to end the 16 years. I think it will be an additional motivation for Carlo that we have a chance to finally end the 16-year gold medal drought of the Philippines in the Asian Games,” the ABAP official said.
Manalo also stressed that Paalam should remain committed to the counter-punching strategy that has carried him through the tournament.
“He should stick to his plan. It’s been working so far. Carlo’s wins so far weren’t jokes. So, I think if his opponents can adjust here, he should just stick to his strength,” added Manalo.
Paalam now stands one fight away from adding an Asian Games gold to his Olympic silver and potentially ending one of Philippine boxing’s longest medal droughts on the continental stage. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
