Three Filipino boxers have guaranteed themselves bronze medals at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, and Riza Pasuit advanced to the semi-finals in their respective divisions, securing podium finishes. Ladon, a two-time gold medalist, won a unanimous decision over Ingatan Ilahi of Indonesia in the flyweight quarterfinals, setting up a clash with Malaysia’s Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin.
Bautista, also a two-time gold medalist, defeated Van Duong Nguyen with a referee stoppage due to injury in their featherweight bout. He will now face Asri Udin of Indonesia in the semis. Pasuit, on the other hand, had a tougher time against Huswatun Hasanah of Indonesia in their women’s light welterweight bout, winning by split decision. She will take on Singapore’s Sabrina Faizal in the semis on Tuesday.
However, the Philippine boxing team suffered a setback with James Palicte losing to Van Ratha of Cambodia in the light welterweight quarterfinals. But several Filipino boxers are expected to claim bronze medals on Monday, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam. Paalam will take on Malaysian Daeloniel McDelon in the bantamweight quarterfinals, while Paul Bascon will make his Games debut against Vietnam’s Thanh Dat Vu in the light welterweight division.
Filipino boxers have a storied history in the Southeast Asian Games, having won numerous gold medals over the years. The country has consistently been a strong contender in boxing, thanks to the support and development of the sport at the grassroots level. The Philippine boxing program has been successful in identifying and nurturing young talent, providing them with opportunities to compete at the highest level. As a result, Filipino boxers have been able to represent the country well in international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
The Southeast Asian Games is an important event for Filipino athletes, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and represent their country on the regional stage. The event is held every two years and features athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia, competing in a variety of sports. The Philippines has been hosting the Games since 2019, and the ongoing event in 2021 has seen the country fielding a strong contingent of athletes across various sports.
In the boxing events at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines has been dominating, with several of its boxers expected to take home medals. The team has been performing well, displaying the skills and techniques that have made Filipino boxers among the best in the region. The success of the boxing team is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and support staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that they are prepared for the competition.