Olympic stint at stake in Tañamor’s semis bout vs Uzbek rival

KARACHI, PAKISTAN–It’s every athlete’s dream to see the word "Olympian" attached to his resume, lightflyweight Harry Tañamor included.

Now the Filipino pug gets the perfect chance to finally earn that tag.

A pumped-up Tañamor of the RP-Alaxan FR team shoots for a final seat and an automatic berth in the Athens Games as he battles Uzbekistan’s Namajonov Otabek in the semifinals of the third Asian Olympic qualifying boxing tournament (Green Hill Cup) at the KPT Sports Complex here.

So far it has been one impressive ride for the 25-year old pride of Zamboanga City in the week-long, 29-nation meet, winning both his bouts via Referee Stopped Contest Outscored (RSCOS), the last coming at the expense of tough and stocky Abdraimov Nurlan of Kazakhstan in their 48 kg. quarterfinal match Sunday.

He’s not promising to end his semifinal fight in the same manner, but the Philippine Army Corporal vows to win it all.

"Gagawin natin lahat para po manalo," said the last member of the RP squad, whose stint is bankrolled by Alaxan FR, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Pacific Heights and Accel, to reach this far into the tournament.

Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez led the Filipino contingent in wishing Tañamor the best.

"We all pray that Harry succeeds. A victory will not only be his own, but the rest of the Filipinos as well," said the ABAP chief.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain also sent encouraging words to the Filipino pug on the eve of his bout.

"Our prayers for Harry on his bid for an Olympic berth. We have faith in you. Go for the gold and good luck," he said.

Tañamor failed in two previous bids in the Asian Olympic qualifying meets held in Palawan and China, respectively, this year.

He reached the quarterfinals when the country hosted the event last January, then got booted out as early as the first round when the second of the three qualifying tournaments went to Guangzhou two months later.

"Kaya nga laban na po ito. Last chance na, e," he said.

The RP team got a one-day rest prior to the semis, a key factor that augurs well for Tañamor.

But coaches George Caliwan and Pat Gaspi are not taking chances.

"Huwag lang magkumpiyansa at maging maganda at patas lang ang judging, malaki ang pag-asa natin," said Caliwan amidst mounting protests here regarding biased judging.