PARIS - Pinanghahawakan pa rin ni Alliance of Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas ang kanyang prediksyon na mananalo ng gintong medalya ang bansa sa 2024 Olympic Games.
Dumating si Vargas dito sa French capital noong Huwebes na sinaksihan ang pag-abante ni Aira Villegas sa women’s 57kg quarterfinals mula sa unanimous win kay Roumaysa Boualam ng Algeria.
“Before I came I said I would be happy with two gold medals. I think it’s very possible even at this point in time. Our boxers prepared hard, they worked hard and they just have to execute the game plan,” ani Vargas.
Nauna nang nasibak sina 2021 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial at Hergie Bacyadan.
Ngunit kumbinsido si Vargas sa kakayahan ng mga Pinoy boxers.
“Hergie is a new boxer but she works very hard. It’s her first Olympic and he’ll do better next time,” wika ng boxing chief.
“No excuses for Eumir. I messaged him immediately after the fight and I thanked him for all his sacrifices even for the country. Now is no the time to give up. There’s still a good future ahead for him,” dagdag nito.
Nag-iisip pa si Marcial kung muling maghahangad ng Olympic medal o itutuloy ang pagiging professional boxer.