Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam. | Inquirer photos
DAPITAN CITY, Philippines — The Tokyo Olympics medalists will spearhead the Philippine boxing team in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on September 24.
The Philippine boxing team will be headed by Olympic silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam. They will be joined by bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and a bunch of top-tier boxers who shone in previous Southeast Asian Games and other international meets.
READ: ‘Inner Nesthy’ fuels Petecio’s Olympic gold drive
Petecio, Paalam, Marcial
It can be recalled that Petecio bagged the silver medal in the women’s featherweight division in the Tokyo Olympics while Paalam earned the silver in the men’s flyweight division.
Meanwhile, Marcial, who turned pro a few years ago, salvaged the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics’ middleweight division in 2020.
All three Olympians will compete in the same divisions they vied in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
READ: Marcial puts pro boxing career on pause as he sets his eye on Paris 2024 Olympics
Other members of boxing team
Also joining them are Irish Magno (54kg), Aira Villegas (50kg), Rogen Ladon (51kg), Mark Fajardo (-63kg), Marjon Pianar (71kg), and John Marvin (92kg).
The preliminary round matches will be on September 24 to 30, 2023, while the semifinals and finals is from October 1 to 5, 2023.
It can be recalled that Marcial, who had a scheduled professional bout in the United States, decided to withdraw from it to represent the Philippines in the Asian Games.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz vows to do everything to get another Olympic gold medal
Asian Games
These nine boxers will be part of the 395 Filipino athletes that will represent the Philippines in the Asian Games later this month according to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Besides these boxers, Olympic gold medalist and previous Asian Games medalists in Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Yuka Saso (golf), Lois Kaye Go (golf), and Margielyn Didal (skateboard) will also compete in the Asian Games.
The Philippines will compete in 37 of the 40 featured sports.
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