FILE–The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam reacts after profitable towards Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov throughout their males’s fly (48-52kg) quarter-final boxing match in the course of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Video games on the Kokugikan Area in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photograph by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)
A silver medal within the Tokyo Olympics is a factor of the previous for Carlo Paalam.
“For me, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo is totally different from now as a result of from what we skilled earlier than, all of us went again to zero,” Paalam, who settled for the silver after bowing to Galal Yafai within the Finals of males’s boxing flyweight division in Japan, stated in Filipino.
“We aren’t [being confident] that [because] we’re already Olympians [we’re favorites] … while you suppose like that, you’re inflating your ego and also you suppose an excessive amount of of your self,” the 25-year-old pug stated in a press convention to ship off the nation’s bets in Makati Metropolis on Thursday.
Paalam earned one other shot on the Summer time Video games gold with a unanimous choice towards India’s Sachin Siwach within the males’s 57-kilogram division of the Second World Qualification Event in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this month.
He’ll lead this yr’s Filipino Olympic bets in the course of the opening ceremonies when he shares flag-bearing duties with fellow Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio.
“I’m so glad to be [a flagbearer] as a result of we’re not solely carrying our household names however the entire Philippines and stroll holding the Philippine flag,” the soft-spoken fighter stated.
Eumir Marcial, who jumped to the 80-kg class, additionally certified once more for an opportunity to higher his bronze end in his Olympic debut. Summer time Video games first timers Hergie Bacyadan (75 kg) and Aira Villegas (50 kg) full the nation’s entries for boxing.
Excited, not scared
Paalam doesn’t need to get forward of himself and announce that he will likely be gunning for a greater end in Paris.
“We aren’t considering of the medals but as a result of we [need to be able to convince] the judges in each battle so we’ll simply do our greatest and hopefully, whoever holds the choice will likely be honest,” Paalam stated.
“I’m tremendous excited with a little bit little bit of nervousness, however to not the purpose of being scared. Excited to carry out properly in Paris,” he added.
For Paalam, it will likely be necessary to deal with the optimistic issues heading into the European vogue hub.
“We don’t take into consideration the destructive, we at all times take into consideration the optimistic as a result of that’s what’s extra necessary and our braveness and smarts as a result of as soon as you consider the destructive issues, nothing will occur,” he stated. “I’m excited to indicate and carry out [with] the most effective Carlo that I may give in Paris.”
“I’m not eager about who amongst my opponents will likely be robust as a result of it will likely be such as you’re already defeating your self,” Paalam stated when requested who he will likely be cautious of going through contained in the ring.
Apart from taking pictures for his dream of a gold that has eluded him the primary time he took on the world’s grandest sporting stage, there was nonetheless one factor that Paalam will likely be wanting ahead to.
“It’s extra enjoyable to hearken to the nationwide anthem of the Philippines for those who stand within the center [of the podium] after a victory. That’s our aim.”
