An Ilongga boxer made the Ilonggo community proud after earning the ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics recently.
Iloilo City fighter Irish Magno capitalized on her weight advantage to defeat Tajikistan’s Sumaiya Qosimova via a unanimous decision during their women’s flyweight division clash. The 2019 Southeast Asian Games Silver Medalist, was dominant since the opening round with solid hits to the younger Qosimova.
“I am so very happy, and I made it because of my coach Boy Velasco. This is for you coach,” said Magno, who was relegated to the box off after losing to Indian Mary Kom in the quarterfinals on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Tokyo-bound Eumir Felix Marcial earned himself a shot for the gold medal in the 2020 Asia and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan. He punched his way to the gold medal showoff of the men’s middleweight division of the tournament after a 4-1 victory over India’s Ashish Kumar in the semifinals bout.
Marcial, who is already off to the Tokyo Olympics after reaching the semifinals stage, will meet Kazakhstan’s Abilkhan Amankul in his final mission of the tournament.
Carlo Paalam failed to complete the celebration after he was denied the chance to represent the flag and join Marcial and Magno in the Tokyo Olympics after a split decision defeat versus Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibbosinov in the flyweight division box off.
However, it is not time to say goodbye yet for Paalam, as he still has another shot in making it to the world’s biggest sporting event if he achieves what is required in the Global Qualifiers in Paris, France next month. IMT
