Philippines' Eumir Felix Marcial (in red) connects with a punch on Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev in the men's 80kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 30, 2024. Mohd Rasfan, AFP

Eumir Marcial's 2024 Paris Olympic Games journey has come to an end.

The Filipino boxing star absorbed an early defeat in his Summer Games campaign after a defeat via points to Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev in the round-of-16 of the men's 80kg division, Wednesday at the North Paris Arena.

READ: Olympic journey ends for Eumir Marcial after loss to Uzbek foe

Marcial was previously looked at as one of the Filipino Olympians who were poised to bring a medal to the country, especially due to his bronze finish in the 2021 Tokyo Games.

READ: Eumir Marcial primed to complete redemption in Olympics return

"I went to training every day with a mindset of winning the gold. I've put in the hard work and sacrificed so much for this dream, as far as putting my professional career on hold," said the 28-year-old in a social media post hours after his defeat, while also sharing how he has been dealing with physical concerns ahead of the games.

"Not many people know but behind the scene, I sustained an injury two weeks leading up to this match that prevented me from moving and doing my usual training, which also affected my mental strength and overall performance," he continued.

Marcial was equally, if not, even more emotional right after his loss and admitted that there are feelings of self-doubt.

"Malungkot po. Sobrang lungkot ko at ang daming katanungan sa sarili ko ngayon, kung saan po ako magsisimula ulit," he said following his match. "Magsisimula po ba ako ulit mangarap na isang Olympics pa para makuha ko yung gold? Or mag focus na ako sa aking professional career?"

"Hindi ko po alam kung saan po ako magsisimula. Alam naman po nating lahat na itong weight class ko, hindi ito yung natural weight ko, kaya hirap din po ako. Meron pong disadvantage, pero 'di ko po sasabihin yun as excuse kung bakit 'di ako nanalo." 

"Hirap din po ako sa height, sobrang liit ko, pero hindi po yun excuse. Siguro po talagang hindi para sa akin, merong pagkukulang, or may plano po ang Panginoon para sa akin," said Marcial, who had to move up a higher weight class after his usual division was scuppered for the Paris Games.

"Nag qualify po ako dito sa Olympics at preparado ako," Marcial added. 

The 5-foot-11, Zamboanga City native then went on to seek more support from his wife, his family, and the whole nation as he looks to bounce back from this setback in his career.

"Sana po, yung mga Pilipinong naniniwala sa akin, sana tulungan niyo po ako ulit na bumangon at mag simula ulit. Whether sa professional career ko ba or sa Olympics po ulit," Marcial said. "Mahirap. Mahirap po. 'Di ko po alam kung saan ako magsisimula ulit, pero alam ko po nandyan yung mga Pilipino, at yung pamilya ko at yung asawa ko na sumusuporta."

"Hinihiling ko lang po na sana tulungan niyo po ako ulit umangat. Hindi ko po alam kung saan ako magsisimula ulit lalo pong marami akong sinakripisyo para dito."

"Pero gusto ko lang pong pasalamatan lahat ng mga Pilipinong sumuporta hanggang sa huli, hanggang sa pag dating ko dito," added Eumir, while also expressing that there is still more to come for him.

"I gave my all in that ring and regardless of the result, I am deeply grateful to all of the Filipinos who believed in me and supported me," he penned in his post.

"I'm so proud to have been able to represent our country once again here at the Olympics. Thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement."

"This is not the end of my journey. -- with a report from Dyan Castillejo, POC Media/ABS-CBN News