PH boxers raring to go as Olympics nears | ABS-CBN
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PH boxers raring to go as Olympics nears
PH boxers raring to go as Olympics nears
Rick Olivares
Published Jul 31, 2016 09:48 PM PHT
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RIO DE JANEIRO – There will be 250 men from 75 different countries who will be competing in 10 different weight classes when the boxing competition for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics begins on August 6 and ends on August 21 at the Pavilion 6 of the Riocentro Convention Center.
RIO DE JANEIRO – There will be 250 men from 75 different countries who will be competing in 10 different weight classes when the boxing competition for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics begins on August 6 and ends on August 21 at the Pavilion 6 of the Riocentro Convention Center.
Two of the men are Filipinos light flyweight Rogen Ladon and lightweight Charly Suarez, both first-timers, who are aching to end a 20-year medal drought.
Two of the men are Filipinos light flyweight Rogen Ladon and lightweight Charly Suarez, both first-timers, who are aching to end a 20-year medal drought.
Ladon and Suarez will both see action on August 6 but will have to await the results of the draw a few days before the start of the competition.
Ladon and Suarez will both see action on August 6 but will have to await the results of the draw a few days before the start of the competition.
While they aren’t sure who they will be facing in their first match, boxing head coach Nolito Velasco isn’t wasting any time as he presided over a light training session for the two Filipino boxers Saturday afternoon at Pavilion 5 of the Riocentro.
While they aren’t sure who they will be facing in their first match, boxing head coach Nolito Velasco isn’t wasting any time as he presided over a light training session for the two Filipino boxers Saturday afternoon at Pavilion 5 of the Riocentro.
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It was a light session compared to the normal grind these boxers go through, kicking it off with a couple of rounds of shadow boxing and sparring and a few more on the bags.
It was a light session compared to the normal grind these boxers go through, kicking it off with a couple of rounds of shadow boxing and sparring and a few more on the bags.
The two boxers cooled down by running back to the Athletes Village which is less than a kilometer away from the training venue.
The two boxers cooled down by running back to the Athletes Village which is less than a kilometer away from the training venue.
Velasco, the elder brother of the 1996 silver medalist and 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medal winner Roel Velasco, is eagerly awaiting the results of the draw.
Velasco, the elder brother of the 1996 silver medalist and 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medal winner Roel Velasco, is eagerly awaiting the results of the draw.
“We are hoping for a better draw,” said Velasco.
“We are hoping for a better draw,” said Velasco.
“Let’s hope that we don’t cross paths with the other favorites. We don’t want the championship bouts in our opening bouts,” he said.
“Let’s hope that we don’t cross paths with the other favorites. We don’t want the championship bouts in our opening bouts,” he said.
Ladon is ranked third in his division, while Suarez is just in the lower rungs.
Ladon is ranked third in his division, while Suarez is just in the lower rungs.
“If we get the breaks in the draw, then we get better chances of winning medals here,” added Velasco as he walked back to the Athletes Village. “But our boxers are ready for whoever is put in front of them.”
“If we get the breaks in the draw, then we get better chances of winning medals here,” added Velasco as he walked back to the Athletes Village. “But our boxers are ready for whoever is put in front of them.”
“The challenge now is maintaining their form. There’s no problem with the weight,” he concluded.
“The challenge now is maintaining their form. There’s no problem with the weight,” he concluded.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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