Philippines’ Carlo Paalam dominated his semi-final and advanced to the title contest at the Tokyo Olympic Games

Seven important bouts were held in the twelfth competition day at the Tokyo Olympic Games today where the Asian boxers were involved to the semi-finals. Philippines’ Carlo Paalam dominated his semi-final over his Japanese rival and he can bot for the title of the flyweight (52kg) against Great Britain’s Galal Yafai.  

The remaining boxers at the women’s lightweight (60kg), men’s flyweight (52kg), men’s featherweight (57kg) and men’s middleweight (75kg) were in actions in the twelfth day of boxing in Tokyo.

Altogether 70 Asian boxers including 26 women and 44 men are able to represent their nations in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. The final number of the boxers is 289 in the Games where thirteen champions will be crowned in Tokyo. Among the Asian nations, Japan, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, India, Thailand, China and Uzbekistan won at least one medal in Tokyo.

Sudaporn Seesondee earned bronze medal for Thailand

Thailand’ Sudaporn Seesondee achieved silver medal at the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships when she met in the final with Ireland’s Kellie Harrington. The Thai lightweight (60kg) boxer had to meet with the tough Irish boxer once again, this time in the Olympic semi-final. Harrington opened the bout better but Seesondee was also better by minutes by minutes in their repeat match. The experienced Thai, who is member of the national team since 2009, worked hard in all of the three rounds against the Seed No.1 and made Harrington busy today. The final verdict was split decision (3:2) in the contest in the favour of the Irish girl therefore Seesondee claimed bronze in Tokyo. The Thai boxer delivered her very best performance today and deserved her career highlight, an Olympic bronze medal.

Carlo Paalam is the second finalist from the Philippines

Philippines’ Carlo Paalam and Japan’s Ryomei Tanaka both exceeded the expectations with their amazing victories in the previous competition days and met each other in the first semi-final of the men’s flyweight (52kg). Tanaka landed a wonderful left-handed hook in the first minute of their semi-final but Paalam found his best rhythm in the middle of the opening round. The Filipino boxer caught his five-years older Japanese rival with tough shots and took the lead after three minutes. Paalam overcame Tanaka in the most of the exchanges in the second round and he had the full control of this contest. The Japanese boxer had to move ahead more in the second due to Paalam’s advantage but this was perfect for the Filipino. Paalam, who eliminated Uzbekistan’s star Shakhobidin Zoirov in the previous round, dominated the exchanges and advanced to the Olympic final as second from the Philippines after Nesthy Petecio.

Kazakhstan’s second bronze medal in the Olympic Games was taken by tough Saken Bibossynov

Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossynov achieved bronze medal at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships but his success over Spain’s Gabriel Escobar was a surprise success in the quarter-finals of the men’s flyweight (52kg). The Kazakh boxer had a lot of difficulties in the first round against Great Britain’s Galal Yafai, the referee counted him. After the first break, Bibossynov returned in different rhythm and he tried to turn back their semi-final in Tokyo. The Kazakh boxer impressed in the second and third rounds, landing a lot of punches, but his efforts were not enough to win this semi-final today. The final verdict was split decision in the favour of the British boxer but Bibossynov can proud of his performance today.

Eumir Felix Marcial amazed in the semi-final but earned another bronze medal in his career

Philippines’ Eumir Felix Marcial won big titles as junior, youth and later as an elite boxer in the recent ten years therefore he had the experiences to secure an Olympic medal in Tokyo advancing to the semi-final at the middleweight (75kg). The Filipino had to face in the last four with Ukraine’s AIBA World Champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak who did not lose any bouts since 2016. The Ukrainian is famous of his impressive rhythm which was adopted by the physically also powerful Marcial. Both boxers were born in 1995, they had enough experiences to fight until their last blood in the semi-final of the weight class. Khyzhniak never met with such strong resistance in the recent five years as in the Olympic semi-final but he was able to win their narrow contest. Marcial claimed bronze medal once again after the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games and the Dubai 2021 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships but this is his new career highlight.

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