Carlo Paalam out of Paris Olympics boxing

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

In one of the closest verdicts of the Olympics, Paalam lost by scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29, denying him a guaranteed medal.

Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo 2021 Games, expressed dismay over the decision, feeling he landed cleaner punches and did enough to win.

He stated that he battled through injuries in his foot, legs, and shoulder during the match.

Paalam also overcame a shoulder injury in March that forced him to withdraw from a qualification tournament.

Paalam is the third Filipino boxer to be eliminated from the Paris Games, with hopes for a gold medal now resting on Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.