Tañamor punches way to Athens

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — He’s been to Athens, Greece for some minor boxing tournaments.

This time, Harry Tañamor will go back there for the big one.

The Filipino fighter gave everything he had in his 48 kg. semifinal bout against Uzbekistan’s Namajonov Otabek and got what he wanted — a ticket to the Athens Olympics this August following a one-sided 36-14 victory.

The last man standing for the RP-Alaxan FR team now tries to cap his remarkable stint in the third Asian Olympic boxing qualifying tournament here as he goes for the gold medal in the lightflyweight final against Hong Moo-Won of Korea.

"Nakuha rin sa wakas. Para sa bayan natin ito," said the soft-spoken, 25-year old Zamboangueño, who was foiled in his earlier bids in Palawan and China.

The lopsided win Tañamor fashioned out before a stunned crowd at the KPT Sports Complex thus brought to four the number of Filipino boxers who will be making the trip to this year’s Summer Games.

Joining Tañamor in the hunt for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal are Violito Payla, Chris Camat and Romeo Brin.

Four boxers — Arlan Lerio, Danilo Lerio, Larry Semillano and Brin — also qualified in the Sydney Games four years ago, but unfortunately, none among them managed to bring home the gold, much less a medal.

With renewed enthusiasm, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez is looking forward to a more productive campaign this time.

"Now that Harry (Tañamor) has qualified, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and implement a rigorous, three-month program for the attainment of the elusive first Olympic gold," said Lopez.

Tañamor already showed proof of how focus he is in achieving that goal the way he outclassed his badly-beaten Uzbek opponent.

A quick jab and a powerful left straight by the Filipino seconds after the bell sounded for the opening round, set the tone for the rout.

"Nagpakilala na ako agad," said Tañamor, an Army Corporal whose stint here is backed by Alaxan FR, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Pacific Heights and Accel and Maj. Gen. Efren Abu, CGPA (AFP), Capt. Octavio Pabuaion, (GSCPN), CO, SSU-GHQ (AFP) and Col. Manuelito Dahan (GSCPA) CO, SSU-ASCOM.

Otabek never really got on track after that.

As Tañamor kept piling up the points midway in the third round, the Filipino gave the Uzbek a fitting shot — a smashing left cross that staggered and hurt Otabek for a standing eight-count.

"Maganda ang nilaro ni Harry. Timing lahat ng mga itinapon na suntok," said coach George Caliwan, assisted here by Pat Gaspi.

Tañamor’s eyes lightened up minutes after the bout when reminded that after two failed attempts, he’s finally bound for the Olympics in Athens, a place he’s been to several times the past three years.

And he has fond memories about it.

"Naka-gold din po ako dun," he said, referring to his victory in the Acropolis Cup held at the birthplace of the Olympics two years ago.

Hopefully, the same result would be achieved three months from now.