ILOILO – Boxer Irish Magno said she’s excited to go back home in Janiuay town after competing in the women’s flyweight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July.
The 30-year-old Magno has already completed her quarantine at a hotel in Tagaytay City.
In an interview with Panay News, she said she would report to the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila before going home to Barangay Tamu-an, Janiuay.
No confirmed date yet as to when she would come home.
Magno said the support of Filipinos, especially the Ilonggos, was overwhelming.
“Happy gid ako nga isa ako sa mga nag-participate sa Tokyo Olympics. Bisan wala ako sang medalya proud gid ako kay damo gid nagasuporta,” said Magno.
“Sobra-sobra gid ang pasalamat ko sa ila. Nabatyagan ko gid ana todo nga suporta,”she added.
This was Magno’s first Olympics stint. She was in fact the first Filipina boxer to qualify for the Olympics.
She saw her 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign come to an end after a losing to Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in the women’s 48-51-kilogram round-of-16 match at the Kokukigan Arena.
“Bisan first time ko makahampang sa Olympics, dako gid ang improvement sa akon boxing skills. Indi lang ako ang naka-notice…Bisan ang mga coaches ko nagahambal nga damo gid nag-improve,” said Magno.
Magno is also extending her gratitude to the Iloilo provincial government and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that earlier vowed to give more or less P300,000 incentive.
“Nagapasalamat ako kay dako gid ina nga bulig indi lng sa akon kundi sa pamilya ko,” she said.
Two resolutions were recently passed by the SP commending the boxer and granting the cash incentive.
Previously, Magno represented the Philippines in international amateur boxing competitions including the Asian Games and the World Championships.
She won a gold medal in the 2012 Taipei Open in Taiwan, bronze medal in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games, silver medal in the 2015 Southeast Asians Games, and silver medal in women’s flyweight division in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games./PN
