Paalam, Bacyadan vie for Olympic boxing glory

Filipino boxers Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan begin their campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday at the North Paris Arena.

Paalam, a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, is set to face 2022 Commonwealth Games champion Jude Gallagher of Ireland in the men's 57kg class round-of-16.

Bacyadan is up against top seed and Tokyo silver medalist Li Qian of China in the women's 75kg class round-of-16.

Li Qian, standing at 5-foot-10, has a height and reach advantage over the 5-foot-6 Bacyadan, and is aiming for an elusive Olympic gold after winning bronze in Rio and silver in Tokyo.

Paalam is motivated by his desire to win for his young family, having brought his wife and baby daughter to Paris for added motivation.

Both Paalam and Bacyadan are inspired by the earlier victory of their compatriot Aira Villegas, who defeated Yasmine Mouttaki of Morocco to advance to the round-of-16 in the women's 50kg division.

Bacyadan's bout is scheduled for 6:04 p.m. Philippine time, followed by Paalam's match at 9:30 p.m.

Boxing has historically been a strong source of Olympic medals for the Philippines, contributing eight out of the country's fifteen medals since their first participation in the Olympics 100 years ago in Paris, though a gold medal in boxing remains elusive.