Obiena concludes maiden Olympic stint

EJ Obiena wrapped up his first Olympic campaign as he crashed out of medal contention in the men’s pole vault finals following three unsuccessful attempts at 5.80m.

Obiena, the only Asian in the final, almost cleared 5.80m on his first and second attempts but knocked the bar off on both occasions.

Initially ruled eliminated after hesitating twice on his third attempt, Obiena was given another shot to advance after a lengthy talk with the officials.

However, it was just not meant to be for Obiena, whose personal best stands at 5.87m, as he failed to clear 5.80m on his official third attempt.

(READ: EJ Obiena finishes 11th, Duplantis takes gold in Tokyo Olympics pole vault)

Petecio settles for Olympic boxing silver

Nesthy Petecio fell short of becoming the Philippines’ first Olympic boxing gold medalist after settling for silver in the women’s featherweight class following a unanimous decision loss to Sena Irie of Japan in the finals.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Petecio as she fell victim to Irie for the third time in their four encounters.

All five judges scored the bout in favor of the hometown bet, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.

Still, Petecio made history as the first Filipina to win an Olympic boxing medal as she matched the silver won by Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

(READ: Nesthy Petecio settles for silver, still makes history)

Paalam bids Olympic champion goodbye for sure bronze

Carlo Paalam pulled off a major upset over reigning Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan as he punched his ticket to the men’s flyweight semifinals, securing at least another bronze for the Philippines.

Paalam won via split decision in a shortened bout, with the referee stopping the duel in the second round after a clash of heads opened a cut above the left eye of Zoirov.

The Filipino earned the nod of four judges with identical scores of 20-18 to become the Philippines’ fourth medalist in Tokyo.

One judge had it tied at 19-19.

(READ: Carlo Paalam shocks defending Olympic champion for sure bronze)

Preview

In potentially one of the biggest days for the country in the Tokyo Olympics, three Filipinos are in prime position to add to the Philippines’ medal haul on Tuesday, August 3.

Boxer Nesthy Petecio leads the Filipinos’ medal charge as she goes for all the marbles in the women’s featherweight class, seeking to beat Sena Irie of Japan for the gold in the finals at 12:05 pm. (READ: Nesthy Petecio looks to slay ghost from past in Olympic gold quest)

If she wins, Petecio will become the Philippines’ first Olympic boxing champion and second gold medalist overall next to history-making weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Another boxer has his sights set on a medal, with Carlo Paalam eyeing a sure bronze with an upset against reigning Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in the men’s flyweight quarterfinals at 10:15 am. (READ: Mindanao boxing fans hold breath as homegrowns fight for gold, bronze)

Zoirov is by far the toughest foe Paalam will face in the Olympics after winning the men’s flyweight gold medals in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and 2019 World Championships.

Later in the day, EJ Obiena looks to further stamp his mark as one of the best pole vaulters in the world with a podium finish in the men’s pole vault finals at 6:20 pm.

Obiena will go up against 13 other finalists, including 2016 Olympic champion Thiago Braz of Brazil, 2012 London Games titlist Renaud Lavillenie of France, and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

(READ: Tokyo Olympics: Meet Team Philippines)

– Rappler.com