Paalam loses to Australian boxer in Paris Olympics quarterfinals

Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam's Paris 2024 Olympics campaign ended after a 3-2 split decision loss to Australia's Charlie Senior in the men's 57kg quarterfinals.

Paalam, the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, expressed disappointment with the judges' decision, stating he believed he landed cleaner punches and clearly won the bout.

Despite battling injuries to his foot, legs, and shoulder, Paalam stated he gave his best effort.

Paalam's defeat, with judges scoring it 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 in favor of Senior on three cards and 27-30, 28-29 for Paalam on two, denied him a guaranteed medal.

He advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Ireland's Jude Gallagher via unanimous decision.

Paalam joins previously eliminated boxers Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan, while Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas remain.

He overcame a shoulder injury sustained in March at the first World Qualification Tournament in Italy, which had previously forced him to withdraw.