PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Carlo Paalam vowed to remain focused and not lower his guard, even after overcoming the top favorite in his weight category at the Paris Olympics.
Paalam is approaching each bout with the understanding that there are no easy matches in the Olympics, preferring to focus on the task at hand.
“Lahat ng nandito naka-prepara, gagawin ko lang ang best ko sa bawat laban,” said Paalam, who advanced to the 57kg quarterfinals with a unanimous win over Commonwealth Games champion Jude Gallagher of Ireland on Wednesday at the Paris North Arena.
Next up for Paalam is Australian Charlie Senior, who won 4-1 against Belgian Vasile Usturoi.
A win would guarantee Paalam a bronze medal, potentially marking his second Olympic podium finish after winning silver in Tokyo in 2021.
However, similar to his match against Gallagher, the Takalag, Bukidnon native will face a height and reach disadvantage against the 22-year-old 5-foot-10 Senior, a gold medalist at the 2023 Pacific Games.
Despite these challenges, Elmer Pamisa, Paalam’s discoverer from Cagayan de Oro and long-time mentor, is confident in Paalam’s ability to handle Senior.
“Suki niya yan sa training,” said Pamisa, referring to Paalam’s favorable performance against Senior during their training sessions in Germany leading up to the Games.
Paalam plans to use a similar strategy to the one he employed in his first bout.
“Malaki at magaling kaya pina-open ko muna,” Paalam said of Gallagher. “Pinapa-open ko, matamaan man ako, clear punch yung balik ko,” he explained.
“Nag-o-open ako (to bait him), pag-suntok niya, bawi ako ng dalawang clear punch.” This strategy proved effective, earning Paalam the unanimous approval of all five judges.
