okyo 2020 Olympics - Boxing - Men's Flyweight - Semifinal - Kokugikan Arena - Tokyo, Japan - August 5, 2021. Carlo Paalam of the Philippines bows after his fight against Ryomei Tanaka of Japan REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
REUTERS
Flyweight Carlo Paalam put himself in contention for the Philippinesâ first-ever Olympic boxing gold with a win over Japanâs Ryomei Tanaka, his speed and agility killing off the hostsâ chances of a second Tokyo boxing title.
ECSTATIC SCREAM
When his victory was confirmed, a teary-eyed Paalam fell to his knees on the canvas and let out an ecstatic scream.
Asked about a gold medal, he said: âI wonât answer that for now, I still have good work left to do.â
Global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao Tweeted his support for his countryman.
âFight for Gold, Carlo Paalam! We are rooting for you,â Pacquiao said.
Paalam will on Saturday fight Briton Galal Yafai who beat Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan in a thrilling semi-final.
A huge roar erupted from the British team in the spectator-less arena after Yafaiâs win was announced.
âTo be in an Olympic final is something I never thought I could do,â Yafai said. âIt just goes to show, if you put in hard work, you reap the rewards.â
Ukraineâs Oleksandr Khyzhniak will face Brazilian Hebert Sousa in Saturdayâs middleweight final, after his victory over Filipino Eumir Marcial and Sousaâs defeat of Russian Gleb Bakshi.
World and Pan-American champion Beatriz Ferreira is looking to win Brazilâs second-ever Olympic boxing gold and always looked on top in a scrappy fight with 40-year-old Mira Potkonen of Finland in the womenâs lightweight contest.
Ferreira will meet Irish top seed Kellie Anne Harrington, who came through with an astute tactical performance against Thai Sudaporn Seesondee, switching stance between rounds to frustrate the tough-punching Thai before moving in quickly on the counter.
âI fought her back in 2018, it was a chess match then, it was a chess match today,â Harrington said.
Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Ed Osmond
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