One last window for RP boxing Olympic bid

RP boxers Charly Suarez (left) and Rogen Ladon have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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One last window for RP boxing Olympic bid

by rick olivares

Filipino boxers have one more shot at landing a berth in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

According to ABAP Executive Director Edgar Picson, Filipino hopefuls can still qualify for the Olympics. "The women can avail of a slot should they make it in the  AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship that will be held from May 19-27 in Astana, Kazakhstan while the men will get their opportunity in the AIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Baku Azerbaijan from June 7-19," said Picson.

Expected to make another run at an Olympic berth in the Baku qualifier are Eumir Felix Marcial, Mario Fernandez Roldan Boncales and former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga. While in the women's event, Irish Magno and Josie Gabuco join Nesthy Petecio in the Astana tournament.

“We have scheduled several exposures, both local and international. We’re already talking to the people concerned kung saan namin sila pwedeng dalhin, what sort of training they need,” Picson bared of the plans to send candidates abroad for training in order to get ready for the qualifiers.

“We need to focus on the strength and conditioning aspect din to complement the tactics and strategy of our boxers,” he added. 

In the case of Marcial, it is also to recover from his hand injury that cost him during the China qualifiers.

The country already has two fighters going to Rio – light flyweight Rogen Ladon (49 kgs) and lightweight Charly Suarez (60 kgs) – heightening interest in the nation’s bid for its first Olympic gold medal.