Carlo Paalam stuns defending champ Zoirov to reach flyweight semis

TOKYO, August 3 ------ Carlo Paalam stunned Olympic, world and Asian champion Shakhabidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan on Tuesday to reach the flyweight semifinals of the boxing competition of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Kokugikan Arena.

Undaunted by a fighter he only previously watched fight on YouTube, Paalam, 23, won via split technical decision for leading in four of the judges' scorecards after an accidental headbutt caused cuts on both fighters' heads. When the referee was forced to stop the fight at the 1:44 mark of the second round, the Bukidnon-born former street scavenger was leading on the scorecards of four judges while the other had it tied at one round apiece. "Magaling po talaga at beterano," he said of the 28-year old Zoirov. "Inuunahan ko lang po at sinunod kung ano ang instructions ng aking mga coaches."

The 4-0 decision guaranteed the Philippines its fourth medal in what already stands as its best finish ever since it started competing in the Olympics in 1924, surpassing its three-bronze finish at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. It also assured the four-man boxing team of a third medal, with Nesthy Petecio gunning for gold in the women's featherweight finals later in the day and Eumir Marcial competing in the middleweight semifinals on August 5.

Source: spin.ph

Day 11: August 2 Results

ATHLETICS

- Kristina Knott ran 23.80 seconds in her heat of the women’s 200-meter run. Knott placed 37th of 41 runners and unable to qualify in the semifinal round.

GYMNASTICS

- Carlos Yulo placed fourth in the men’s vault event missing a podium finish by a mere 0.017 points. His two vaults ended up with an average of 14.716.

Day 12: August 3 Schedule

Carlos Paalam, Boxing for the Bronze

BREAKING: Carlo Paalam won via 4-0 Split Decision against ZOIROV Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in Boxing Men's Flyweight Quarterfinals. Paalam will face Japan's Ryomei Tanaka on August 5. Paalam is now assured of a Bronze medal.

Nesthy Petacio, Boxing for the Gold

BREAKING: Nesthy Petacio lost to Japanese Sena Irie. Takes home the Silver.

EJ Obiena, Finals Pole Vault