Marcos hails Paalam for golden boxing feat

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos congratulated Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam for bagging the 54 kg bantamweight gold medal in the ABSC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Jordan and lauded him for bringing honor to the country.

“Tayo ay nagbibigay pugay sa isa na namang Pilipinong nagtaas ng ating bandila at nagbibigay ng pagkilala sa kakayahan ng atletang Pilipino sa buong mundo (We salute another Filipino who raised our flag and brought recognition to the abilities of Filipino athletes around the world),” the President tweeted yesterday.

“Mabuhay ka, Carlo, sa gintong medalyang iyong napanalunan sa Men’s Bantamweight 54kg ng ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship na ginanap sa Jordan. Sana ay magsilbi itong inspirasyon sa maraming Pilipinong nangangarap din na makapagbigay ng parangal sa ating mahal na bayan! (Long live Carlo on the gold medal you won during the men’s bantamweight 54kg of the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship in Jordan! May it serve as an inspiration to the many Filipinos who also aspire to bring honor to our beloved country),” he added.

Paalam won the 54 kg bantamweight gold medal during the ABSC Asian Elite Boxing Championships after beating Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan via split decision last Saturday in Amman, Jordan. Four of the five judges decided in favor of the 24-year old  Filipino boxer.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines president Ed Picson has welcomed Paalam’s victory, describing the bout as a “tough competition.”

Paalam, a native of Cagayan de Oro, brought home a silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.