MANILA, Philippines — Dumaan muna sa butas ng karayom si Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam bago makasikwat ng tiket sa quarterfinals ng 2nd World Olympic Qualifying Tournament sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Naitakas ni Paalam ang gitgitang panalo laban kay Artur Bazeyan ng Armenia sa Round-of-16 ng men’s 57kg division.
“I thought Carlo followed good tactics to win that bout. He boxed good today, landing good backhand straight punches and lead hand hooks. His opponent used clever tactics to make it appear to the referee that Carlo was holding and a point was deducted in the last round,” ani ABAP coach Don Abnett.
Ipinaliwanag ni ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo na nakuha ni Paalam ang 4-1 panalo sa kabila ng 28-all na ibinigay ng tatlong mga hurado.
“Carlo won the first round 3-2, and the second round 5-0. Even if he loses the third round 0-5, he would still win the bout 3-2. However, he got a point deduction in the last round for holding and he lost that last round 2-3,” ani Manalo.
Pumabor kay Paalam ang mga hurado dahilan upang makuha nito ang tiket sa quarterfinals.
Kailangan na lamang ni Paalam na maipanalo ang kanyang dalawang sunod na laban upang makasiguro ng puwesto sa Paris Olympics.
Makakasagupa ni Paalam si Jose Luis De Los Santos ng Dominican Republic.