Tokyo Olympics best chance for Negrenses Ladon,

Filipino amateur boxers Ian Clark Bautista, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Rogen Ladon have good chances of qualifying to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines said. TIEBREAKER TIMES

MANILA – Negrenses Rogen Ladon and Ian Clark Bautista are among the Filipino amateur boxers who have good chances of qualifying to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) said.

According to ABAP president Ricky Vargas, Ladon and Bautista, along with Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, have big chances of joining Ilongga Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial in the Olympic boxing.

“When I look at our boxers, we are ready (for Tokyo 2020),” said Vargas over at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday. “I’m just hoping that the Olympics will push through because this is our best chance.”

The Bago City-native Ladon is looking for his second consecutive stint after competing in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Binalbagan-native Bautista hopes for his first appearance in the Olympiad.

“It’s very sad if the Olympics will not push through at least next year. Or we wait for the next Olympics [in Paris in 2024],” Vargas said. “Mahirap hintayin ‘yung vaccine. They may have the vaccine but normally it takes years before we’d like to risk ourselves in getting the vaccine.”

“It’s a very tough decision. The IOC (International Olympic Committee), I’ve been reading, is having a very difficult time because of all the investment put in by the Japanese government,” he added.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson, for his part, said that the Filipino boxers remain determined in their training even if there’s no definite schedule on the Olympic qualifying tournament.

“But it’s not the same. Training online is not the same. We need to be able to go back to the gym and spar and box. Not only here but overseas as well,” said Picson. “Given the situation that is the next best thing,” he added./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here