Olympic silver for Paalam

Petecio PH flag bearer in closing ceremony

- TITO S. TALAO

TOKYO – Farewell for the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam in the XXXII Olympiad came at the fast hands of a crafty, calculating opponent from Great Britain, with a wicked left straight and amazing foot speed.

Paalam took the silver medal in the 4852kg final Saturday against British Galal Yafai, who won the gold 4-1 behind a first round show of force that saw the Filipino flyweight taking a standing count with 1:48 left.

The Philippines thus wrapped up its pandemic-delayed Olympic campaign with a historic first-ever gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, silvers by boxers Nesthy Petecio (featherweight) and Paalam, and a bronze from middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial – a four-medal performance that surpassed the country’s three-medal collection 89 years ago in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.

Petecio, meantime, will be the designated flag bearer in Sunday’s closing ceremony at the National Olympic Stadium.

Petecio, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, will be vested the honor of carrying the flag for being the country’s first female medalist in Olympic boxing.

All four boxers, including their coaches, and skateboarding president Carl Sambrano, are joining the closing rites.

Yafai set up Paalam with a right during a fierce exchange near the British’s corner and then followed it up with a thunderous left to the face that brought Paalam down.

The 1-2 punch was part of a four-punch barrage unleashed by Yafai that completely stunned Paalam.

“I was actually surprised that Carlo went down,” said Yafai. “But I tried to capitalize on that lead and I’m just glad I won.”