A Filipino boxer is making waves in the World Qualification Tournament in Italy as he aims to follow in the footsteps of his Olympic veteran father and uncle. Ronald Chavez Jr., at 24 years old, is determined to make it to the Paris Games, just like his elder family members did in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Chavez Jr. recently secured a narrow victory over Cape Verde’s Bruno de Fernandes de Barros, setting him up for a tough match against Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash in the next round.
Another promising Filipino boxer, 19-year-old Mark Ashley Fajardo, also scored a sensational third-round knockout win to stay in the Olympic hunt in the men’s 63.5kg division. Both Chavez Jr. and Fajardo will need to win a few more bouts to secure their spots in the quadrennial sporting event.
The Philippines is also counting on other athletes like John Marvin, Aira Villegas, Claudine Veloso, and Hergie Bacyadan, who have yet to compete in the tournament. With early qualifiers like Eumir Marcial, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, the country is optimistic about more Olympic hopefuls making their mark in the competition.
