Paalam breezes through Mandengbam en route to Asiad quarterfinals

OLYMPIAN Carlo Paalam had a rousing debut in the 20th Asian Games by beating Jadumani Singh Mandengbam of India to advance to the quarterfinals of the men’s 55kg class on Saturday in Nagoya, Japan.

The Filipino Tokyo Games silver medalist won the bout, 3-0, at the Nishio Gymnasium, becoming the second fighter from the Philippine team to advance to the Final Eight after Junmilardo Ogayre.

The judges scored the Round-of-16 contest at 29-27, 29-27, 30-26, while the two others had it both at 28-28.

Paalam drew a bye in the Round-of-32.

In the quarterfinals, the 28-year-old Bukidnon-born Paalam will be up against Zhang Jiamao of China, who scored a 5-0 win over Meroj Sufijonov of Taijikistan.

Also gunning for a quarterfinals berth late Saturday is two-time Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio.

The 34-year-old Davao native will be up against Mays Alreem Abukhadijah of Jordan in the Round-of-16 of the women's 60kg class, the first time Petecio is fighting in a higher division.

So far, three members of the Philippine boxing team are out in the running for a podium finish, namely Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas, Rissa Pasuit, and Norlan Petecio.

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