Triumphant loser

This is the 200th story wreckorded since the crowned virus muted the world four years ago. A clean fitting way to start the year from none to one, although there is nothing new about the new year, except the number, and the renewal of personal vows that bow out at once. The year 2023 left with a big bang, not the theory. Neither by expensive fireworks that disappear in midair, seen by the poor with empty midsection, nor by firecrackers believed to crack bad spirits, when bad humans should be fired first before the invisible, or better yet, the imaginary, is vanished.

But by a Filipino fighter named Marlon Tapales who fought tooth and nail and blood against Japanese pound for pound great Naoya Inoue in their super bantamweight title match. The first half was all about the Japanese who punctuated the fourth round with a big left hook that floored the Filipino.

Tapales stood up, beat the count and fought harder in the fifth, forced Inoue to box harder and move smarter. It unboxed a more competitive second half that lasted until the tenth round when the Filipino finally succumbed. He survived the left hook in the fourth but not the right cross in the tenth. Even Inoue was surprised at how Tapales lasted that long, despite being outpunched and outlanded. Statistically, he was dead meat, but numbers are anonymous to the fighting spirit.

Nothing to be ashamed of, his countrymen chorused, mostly out of tune, especially a few hours to the countdown, without reference to the match, but how they welcomed 2024. Partying is not complete without the singing. Even the quiet, the shy and the meek turn into a vocal monster. Or just a monster that makes the song about the way deadly. But at least singing distracts relatives from asking invasive questions during reunions, like they own the life they fry dry and pry on. Filipinos are not so nice in niceties. They start to converse by invading personal space. And peace.

But really, Inoue had to earn it hard, relieved his unblemished record lived another day flawless, without reference to the largest organ of the body, but to the number of bodies he knocked out. He had to wake up from the Nightmare to continue his dream, and to the flashback of the Filipino Flash that almost flushed him out before. Despite losing, Tapales won the hearts of many. He fought with the heart of an army.

But not good enough against the Japanese enemy, without reference to world war atrocities, especially against Filipino women. Even if he too had dangerous credentials, having upset the undefeated Murodjon Akhmadaliev via split decision before. But against the other undefeated foe that is Inoue, Tapales was pushed back to mortality. Regardless, he told the country a great story on how to lose a fight and win respect to cap a respectable year for Philippine sports. Paris is now waving. Will the Philippine flag do the same?