In a dramatic and hard-fought journey, Olympic medalists Carlo Paalam, Aidan Walsh, and Loren Alfonso clinched their spots for the Paris 2024 Olympics at the final qualifying event held at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday.
Carlo Paalam's Second Olympic Pursuit
Carlo Paalam, a 25-year-old Filipino who captured a silver medal in the flyweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has qualified for Paris in the featherweight (57 kilograms) division. Paalam secured his berth with a dominant 5-0 decision over India’s Sachin Siwach. Joining him in the featherweight category are Aider Abduraimov of Ukraine and Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan, who also advanced through the qualifiers. This competitive division features reigning IBA world champion Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan, 2021 world champion Jahmal Harvey of the United States, and 2023 bantamweight world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan.
The Philippines will send their largest boxing delegation to the Summer Games since 1996, with Paalam being part of a five-boxer team. Alongside Paalam, Tokyo medalists Nesthy Petecio (women’s featherweight) and Eumir Marcial (middleweight) will compete, joined by newcomers Hergie Bacyadan (women’s middleweight) and Aira Villegas (women’s flyweight).
Aidan Walsh's Leap to a New Division
Aidan Walsh from Belfast, a bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020, secured his place in the Paris Games in the 71 kilograms division. Walsh stepped up to this category after his previous division was removed. His journey to qualification included victories over Boniface Maina (Kenya), Youcef Islam Yaiche (Algeria), Yurii Zakharieiev (Ukraine), and Zeyad Ishaish (Jordan). In the quota rounds, Walsh defeated Cuba’s Jorge Cuellar and Angel Llanos of Puerto Rico, both by 5-0 decisions. Walsh’s success contributed to Ireland’s tally of ten qualified boxers for the upcoming Olympics.
Loren Alfonso's Quest for Gold
Cuban-born Azerbaijani boxer Loren Alfonso, who won a bronze medal in Tokyo, qualified for Paris in the men’s heavyweight (92 kilograms) division. Alfonso delivered consistent 5-0 decisions throughout his matches, securing his spot. Joining him in this division are Victor Schelstraete of Belgium, Mateusz Bereznicki of Poland, and Georgii Kushitashvili of Georgia, the latter narrowly edging out American Jamar Talley in a 3-2 decision. This outcome means the United States has not qualified a heavyweight boxer for the Summer Olympics since 2004.
Full List of Qualifiers in Thailand
Men
- 51 kilograms: Rafael Lozano Serrano (Spain), Roscoe Hill (USA), Daniel Varela de Pina (Cape Verde), Amit Panghal (India)
- 57 kilograms: Carlo Paalam (Philippines), Aider Abduraimov (Ukraine), Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
- 63.5 kilograms: Radoslav Rosenov (Bulgaria), Oier Ibarreche (Spain), Erislandy Álvarez (Cuba), Malik Hasanov (Azerbaijan), Bazarbay Mukhammedsabyr (Kazakhstan)
- 71 kilograms: Nishant Dev (India), Lewis Richardson (Great Britain), Zeyad Ishaish (Jordan), Damian Durkacz (Poland), Aidan Walsh (Ireland)
- 80 kilograms: Cristian Pinales (Dominican Republic), Weerapon Jongjoho (Thailand), Hussein Ishaish (Jordan)
- 92 kilograms: Victor Schelstraete (Belgium), Mateusz Bereźnicki (Poland), Loren Alfonso (Azerbaijan), Georgii Kushitashvili (Georgia)
- 92-plus kilograms: Gerlon Congo (Ecuador), Davit Chaloyan (Armenia), Ayoub Ghadfa (Spain), Dmytro Lovchynskyi (Ukraine)
Women
- 50 kilograms: Nazym Kyzaibay (Kazakhstan), Daina Moorehouse (Ireland), Pihla Kaivo-oja (Finland), Fátima Herrera (Mexico)
- 54 kilograms: Möngöntsetsegiin Enkhjargal (Mongolia), Huang Hsiao-wen (Chinese Taipei), Jennifer Lehane (Ireland), Im Ae-ji (South Korea)
- 57 kilograms: Alyssa Mendoza (USA), Xu Zichun (China), Jaismine Lamboria (India), Esra Yıldız (Turkey)
- 60 kilograms: Agnes Alexiusson (Sweden), Oh Yeon-ji (South Korea), Hà Thị Linh (Vietnam)
- 66 kilograms: Navbakhor Khamidova (Uzbekistan), Jessica Triebeľová (Slovakia), Brigitte Mbabi (Congo), Grainne Walsh (Ireland)
- 75 kilograms: Baison Manikon (Thailand), Hergie Bacyadan (Philippines), Valentina Khalzova (Kazakhstan), Citlalli Ortiz (Mexico)
Looking Ahead to Paris 2024
These qualifiers not only underscore the intense competition but also promise an exhilarating Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With their places secured, Carlo Paalam, Aidan Walsh, and Loren Alfonso are now focusing on their final preparations, aiming to build on their past achievements and bring glory to their respective countries.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow their journeys and witness their pursuit of Olympic gold in Paris.