Fighters in Rio ready for Philippines golden quest

RIO DE JANEIRO – Filipino boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez carried a lot of weight on their shoulders when they hopped off the bus that took them from the Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport to the Athletes Village Thursday afternoon.

The two boxers, aged 22 and 27, are in their first Olympics. But they’re not here in Rio just for the experience, meet new friends, learn new things and gather souvenirs.

Ladon and Suarez are here to win.

Of the nine medals the Philippines had won in the Olympics since 1924, five of them came in boxing, including the last four – bronze medals in 1964 in Tokyo, 1988 in Seoul and 1992 in Barcelona plus a shining silver in 1996 in Atlanta.

Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco was the last Filipino to stand on the Olympic podium, with the silver medal hanging from his neck. That was in Atlanta – 20 years ago.

Ladon and Suarez are aware that Filipinos still look up to the boxers as the best medal hopes in the Olympics even if the country has 10 other bets here vying in athletics (3), swimming (2), weightlifting (2) and one each in golf , taekwondo and table tennis.

For Filipinos, boxing remains as the sport to watch in the Olympics.

“Alam po namin yun (We know that),” said Ladon, who will compete in the light-flyweight class, as he walked with some members of the Philippine delegation.

Ladon and Suarez and their lone coach, Nolito Velasco, arrived in Rio de Janeiro from Las Vegas, where they trained for a month, and was welcomed to the Athletes Village by Filipino chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta.

The two boxers smiled when told that in fairness to the other athletes, Filipinos are still counting on boxing to deliver here.

“Boxing has always been a medal hope in the Olympics,” said Romasanta.

It’s the first Olympics for Ladon and Suarez. With eight days to the opening ceremony and nine before their opening bouts on Aug. 6, the pressure is there.

They’re handling the pressure well.

“Go for gold tayo,” said Ladon, borrowing the slogan of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines headed by Ricky Vargas.

Ladon said all his life, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Mansueto Velasco, and his sibling, Roel Velasco, who won the bronze in Barcelona.

“Every athlete dreams of being in the Olympics,” said Ladon.  

Filipino fighters Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez arrive in Rio with coach Boy Velasco. ABAC CORDERO

But not every athlete can dream of winning a medal here, especially in measurable sports, where some athletes can only aim to achieve a new personal best.

In the case of Ladon and Suarez, the most senior member of the Philippine boxing team, they both have a decent shot at the podium. The luck of the draw, and good breaks in their opening bouts, can lead them to the medal rounds.

“Step by step,” said Suarez, who will turn 28 on Aug. 14. If he gets the breaks, the bible-preaching native of Sawata in Davao del Norte will be fighting in the semifinals of the 60 kg weight class on his birthday, assured of a bronze.

Suarez is a two-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games (2009 in Laos and 2011 in Jakarta) and silver medalist in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

“I think this is my best chance to win a medal in the Olympics,” he said.

Romasanta rued the fact that the Philippine boxing team was only allowed by organizers one accredited coach to handle the two boxers in this Games that will run Aug. 5-21.

“It’s not even ideal,” said Romasanta, who offered the services of the delegation’s official doctor, Ferdinand Brawner, to the boxers, in case the need arises.

Boxing official Ed Picson said there’s no urgency because the AIBA provides neutral ring physicians and a cutman for every single bout.

Under the Philippine Incentives Act, a gold medal in the Olympics is worth P10 million in cash incentives, a silver medal P5 million and a bronze P2 million.

“It can serve as a motivation,” said Ladon, who has made some heads turn during the last Asian Championships and World Championships. With his relentless style, he has drawn the attention of his top rivals.

“But you need to focus on the fights. The medal and incentive will come afterwards,” said Ladon.

With the arrival of the two boxers, only three members of the Philippine team are unaccounted for. They are hurdler Eric Cray who will fly in from Houston, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal who will come in from Japan and golfer Miguel Tabuena, still in Thailand competing in the King’s Cup.