Oro pugilist Paalam bags Olympic bronze

By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent

AS Northern Mindanao fans celebrated the bronze triumph of Cagayan de Oro wonder boy Carlo Paalam, the whole nation practically cried for “hometown decision” as Dabawenya Nesthy Petecio settled for silver after yielding to home favorite Sena Irie in women’s boxing featherweight finals of the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

In a fight where the Filipina was the aggressor and the Japanese heroine obviously appeared like sending more hugs than punches in a three-rounder that turned into a wrestling match, the Filipino nation was startled when a unanimous verdict went in favor of the host fighter.

“How come unanimous.. it is hard to accept. Maybe a split decision for the heartbreaking loss. But still, Petecio is the gold medalist in the eyes of the Filipino people. She did all her best in that fight where she felt (like) the winner,” said Ricky Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).

Meanwhile, it took former scavenger and Cagayan de Oro’s adopted son from Talakag, Bukidnon Carlo Paalam to ease out the gripping tension in Mindanao and elsewhere of the country brought by the wanton cases of Covid-19.

For over 12 minutes span this morning, Aug. 3, at least everyone forgets for a while the virus threats as the nation stood as one in viewing then celebrating as the 23-year-old Paalam punched his way to the semifinals after a bronze medal victory over Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov in men’s boxing flyweight category of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

With practically all of Mindanao praying for his success, luck was on Paalam’s side as his solid counter-punching gained the dividends after the referee stopped the fight over two minutes in the second round when blood dripped through Zoirov’s left eyelid due to an accidental head-butt.

Disappointed, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Zoirov refused to shake hands with Paalam as the Filipino was handed a split decision win (4-1) via Referee Stopped Contest (RSC).

As Paalam kneeled then broke down in tears after the split decision, literally the Cagayan de Oro City Hall ― bombarded with Covid issues for years especially when the dreadful Delta Variant hit the City of Gold ―exploded in rejoice as they shared Paalam’s rise towards Olympics stardom.

“Sadya bibo kaayo mi dire City Hall. Ang mayor (Oscar S. Moreno) nga No.1 supporter ni Carlo maong gipalandong gyod siya sa LGU sports program sa Cagayan de Oro perting lipaya,” said city sports coordinator Jaymar Rivera.

“Ang parents pud ni Carlo nga naa nagpuyo karon sa Upper Carmen nagmaya uban sa pamilya ug mga silingan. Ilang ka pobrehon salig lang sa uma-uma kaniadto didto sa Talakag matambalan na gyod,” added Rivera.

The Uzbek veteran, who was also the 2019 World Boxing Championship gold medalist, was the aggressor right from the go, even connecting the first few punches. But the ever-patient Paalam retaliated with cautious yet well-calculated solid counter moves that saw his big hands found their marks into the face of Zoirov.

The first-time Olympian Paalam opened the second round with a solid left hand to the head and looked like perfectly had his rhythm back when the two tangled closely, thus resulting in a head-butt.

Paalam suffered a slight gush, but the Uzbek had it more thereby prompting the referee to stop the fight.

“It was quite refreshing for us and all the frontliners in the fight against Covid to stop for a while and cheer for our local hero. I think, kaya gihapon ni Carlo ang Japanese nga iyang makontra sa semis,” said city sports consultant-turned Covid administrative in charge for quarantine Douglas ‘Rocky’ Calingin.

For Sally John Nelg, a former basketball standout of Liceo de Cagayan, a well-meaning grassroots sports program must be upheld nationwide, noting that Paalam is a product of the city’s Boxing at the Park in downtown Divisoria.

“Coach Elmer Pamisa must also be credited kay siya gyod ang nag diskobre ug nag develop kang Carlo nga sa una mosugot lang soft drinks ang award after every ordinary fight sa kalye-kalye pa nga ensayo,” added Ruel Densing of Cagayan de Oro City Boxing Program.