Carlo Paalam’s Asian Games Medal Bid Ends in Quarterfinal Loss to Uzbekistan Fighter
HANGZHOU, China – Carlo Paalam’s hopes of winning a medal in the 19th Asian Games were shattered on Tuesday, October 3, after he was defeated in the quarterfinals of the men’s 57-kilogram class. Paalam faced a formidable opponent from Uzbekistan, Abdulmalik Khalokov, who showcased his skills and proved to be too much for the Filipino boxer.
Considered as one of the gold medal hopefuls, Paalam suffered a resounding 5-0 defeat at the hands of Khalokov, dealing a major blow to Team PH’s aspirations of replicating their four-gold haul from the Jakarta edition five years ago. Khalokov demonstrated his prowess by employing fancy moves and building an early lead, leaving Paalam unable to mount a comeback.
Analyzing the stats sheet, it became evident just how dominant Khalokov was. His outstanding footwork and height advantage made Paalam an easy target, as he swiftly delivered crisp combinations that sealed his victory in a convincing manner. Despite the setback, Paalam graciously accepted the loss, stating, “I have no regrets because I gave it my all.”
Paalam can also find solace in the fact that he faced off against one of the world’s top fighters and displayed great determination in his efforts to turn the tables in his favor. He made several desperate attempts throughout the fight, showcasing his resilience and fighting spirit. “You saw how we both displayed our intelligence because he is a world champion,” added the proud boxer from Cagayan de Oro, who previously won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 54-kilogram weight category.
With Paalam’s departure, Eumir Marcial now stands as the last remaining hope for the PH boxing team. Marcial, who secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will face Syrian Ahmad Ghousoon in the 80-kilogram semifinals on Wednesday, October 4.
Aside from the thrilling 84-83 victory of the Gilas basketball team over Iran, the only other positive news for the day was the bronze medal finish of the Philippine sepak takraw team. Despite losing to Indonesia in the semifinals, the 21-15, 241-15, 17-19 scoreline was enough to secure a bronze medal for the Philippines.
As the continental showpiece enters its final five days, Team PH has slipped in the rankings, now sitting in 20th place with a 1-1-9 tally (one gold, one silver, and nine bronze medals). Host nation China continues to dominate the games, holding a commanding lead with 156 gold, 85 silver, and 44 bronze medals. Japan has surpassed South Korea to take second place with 33-45-49, whereas South Korea has 32-42-63.
