ILONGGA amateur boxer Irish Magno aims to bring pride not only for the Philippines but to Iloilo as she begins her campaign in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this weekend in Tokyo, Japan.
The Janiuay, Iloilo-native Magno is set to compete face Kenyan Christine Ongare in the round-of-32 of women’s flyweight division at 10 in the morning on Sunday at the Kokugikan Arena in Sumida City in Tokyo, Japan.
“Just like in other competitions na sinasalihan ko, I always bring the name of Iloilo,” Magno said in an interview with Iloilo’s Sports LANG. “I am always proud to play and represent Iloilo.”
Magno – the first-ever Ilongga to compete in the Olympics – admitted that she nearly called it quits in boxing several times but have reconsider it after receiving support from her peers.
“Kon kis-a gapanundum man ako nga mag-untat boxing kay kapoy man lawas ko, pero maano ako? Mang-garab palay sa Janiuay?” Magno said.
“Salamat guid ko sa mga tao nga naga-motivate kanakon nga kaya ko guid!” she added. “I am always grateful because, without them, I did not reach my dreams.”
Magno is one of four Filipino boxers competing in the Summer Games aside from gold medal favorite Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam.
Magno punched her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics despite not reaching the gold medal round after outpointing Tajikistan’s Sumaiya Qosimova in the box-off match in Amman, Jordan.
“Janiuaynon are known to be brave people and that is my battlecry heading into the Olympics,” Magno said. “Also, I drew inspiration from the Ilonggos, Filipino, and my family.”
“Now that I am qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, I can promise na I will give my very best, ibibigay ko talaga ang lahat para sa bayan at para sa mga Ilonggo,” the Ilongga boxer concluded./PN
