MANILA – Ilongga boxer Irish Magno is eager to get back on track after being the only member of the Philippine boxing team to go home empty-handed from the just-concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
According to the Janiuay, Iloilo native fighter, she will use her shortcomings as a motivation to strive harder and possibly earn a qualification in the next Olympics in Paris, France.
“Accept lang kung ano ang natabo sa Olympics. Siguro may iba pa gid [nga] purpose si God para sa akin,” Magno said in an interview with Rodolfo Go Villaruz at Iloilo Sports LANG’s Gametime podcast.
“Ginawa ko ang lahat, sa trainings at sa game, I really did all I can, siguro may kulang pa,” she added. “Basta ang mindset ko is walang hihinto hangga’t walang ginto.”
Magno failed to reach the medal round in the Summer Games after bowing down to Thai slugger Jutamas Jitpong in the round-of-16 of the women’s 48-51 kilogram division.
Despite falling short of a podium finish, Magno said that her Olympic debut had a significant impact on her as a boxer, which she can use to succeed in the Southeast Asian Games next year.
“I can feel in myself naman na nag-improve din ‘yung game ko going into this Olympics. Ibang level kasi ang preparation dito sa Olympics” added the 30-year-old Magno.
“Hindi naman ako nagkumpiyansa (against Jitpong). Mas naunahan lang kami,” she added. “Kahit na nakalaban at natalo ko na siya before, pinaghandaan ko siya ng mabuti at pinanood ko ‘yung mga recent matches niya.”
As she and fellow boxers in silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medal winner Eumir Marcial arrived in the country on Monday, Magno plans to return to Janiuay after the quarantine and take a breather.
“After kong ma-quarantine, pinaplano ko na umuwi sa amin sa Janiuay, magpapahinga lang po siguro ako saglit doon then babalik na din ako sa training kasama ‘yung fellow boxers ko,” Magno said./PN
