Carlo Paalam Wins Silver in Tokyo Olympics

Jerimae R. Sanchez in Ang Pinoy Stories

Aug 08, 2021 • 1 min Read

Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam clinched the country’s second silver medal in Tokyo Olympics after an all-out slugfest against Great Britain’s Galal Yafai in a split decision, in the men’s flyweight finals brawl, August 7, at Kokugikan Arena.

Paalam, who grew up in Cagayan De Oro, closed out the Philippines’ campaign to its best ever Olympic finish in the history, with four medals. Paalam’s victory is also the country’s ninth Olympic medal in boxing.

Paalam now shares the spotlight with Filipino boxers Anthony Villanueva and Onyok Velasco who both got silver in Olympic boxing.

“Itong medal na ito, may simbolo din po ito sa buhay ko. Kasi isa akong mangangalakal, itong medalya ay gawa sa mga sirang gadget po. Sa basura po siya galing. Kaya naiconnect ko po siya sa buhay ko. Yun po ang pinanghugutan ko para makuha ko ito,” said Paalam after the match.

Both boxers were aggressive in the opening round, but a shocking right hand hit from Yafai sent Paalam down to the canvas. Paalam easily recovered and delivered solid punches against Yafai, yet four of the five judges favored the British fighter in round two. The Filipino fighter landed deceiving hits onto Yafai as he got the upper hand in the final round but it was not enough to clinch the victory.

Like Neshty Petecio, who also earned a silver finish in boxing, Paalam will receive cash incentives amounting to a total of php17 million.

Meanwhile, Ernest John Obiena finished 11th in his Olympic debut in men’s pole vault, while Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan placed 9th and 43rd, respectively, in women’s golf.

Photo Source: IG of Carlo Paalam