Olympic gold next in ABAP trend?

MANILA, Philippines - If good things come in threes, ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio said yesterday the trend could lead to a gold medal for lightflyweight Mark Anthony Barriga in the London Olympics after flyweight Eumir Marcial took first honors at the world junior championships in Kazakhstan last year and lightflyweight Josie Gabuco hit paydirt at the just-concluded world women’s championships in China.

Gregorio said the ABAP timetable has been on schedule since Manny V. Pangilinan took over as chairman and Ricky Vargas as president in late 2008. “We’re right on track,” said Gregorio. “The original plan was to make a push for gold at the 2016 Olympics but we’re not discounting the possibility of Mark doing it in London this year. We have high hopes for Mark who recently topped a competition in Uzbekistan, beating several Olympic qualifiers including the No. 1 contender from Russia.”

Gregorio called it a “calculated risk” in sending only Nesthy Petecio to vie for an Olympic slot in the 51 kilogram flyweight division at the recent world women’s championships. The London Olympics will reintroduce women’s boxing in the program but limited to three weight categories – 51 kilograms, 60 kilograms and 75 kilograms. Petecio, who is a natural 54 kilogram bantamweight, had to shed off pounds to engage in a box-off for the country’s lone Olympic entry. She beat lightflyweight Alice Kate Aparri in the ABAP eliminator. There was a contention from some quarters that Aparri should’ve fought in the flyweight division and Petecio in the 60 kilogram class so at least, the Philippines could’ve had two chances to qualify for London.

“We went through a process to choose Nesthy,” said Gregorio. “Walang sisihan. Nesthy won convincingly in the box-off which was witnessed by media. We were not successful but it’s an experience we can build on. Nesthy wasn’t picked – she earned her ticket to the qualifiers. As management gurus always say, we learn from failures. We fail right away so that we learn right away. As long as we remain focused and determined, we’ll make it. There are more championships to be won. It’s time to move forward.”

In China, Petecio, 20, was bundled out by Italy’s Valeria Calabrese via an 11-10 squeaker in her first bout. Aparri, 27, made it to the bantamweight quarterfinals before bowing to eventual silver medalist Terry Gordini of Italy in a countback after a 10-10 draw.

Gregorio said all is not lost in ABAP’s bid to add another contender for London. “We’ve appealed to AIBA president Dr. Ching Kuo Wu to consider lightweight Charly Suarez for a Tripartite Invitation Place or a wildcard slot,” said Gregorio. “Charly deserves it. We’re hoping for a positive response.” The deadline for confirmation of wildcards is July 9.

In a letter addressed to Dr. Wu, ABAP executive director Ed Picson pointed to Suarez’ impressive showing in AIBA’s World Series of Boxing with the Mumabi Fighters and his silver medal finish at the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Kazakhstan as factors to consider in determining his worth. “It would be a regretful waste if such a crowd-drawer and exciting boxer as Suarez would be left out even as he won the hearts of thousands of boxing fans (in Kazakhstan),” wrote Picson. “We therefore submit that he be given a chance to show his wares, entertain the public and fight for his country in London. It is in this vein that we appeal for AIBA’s help in getting Charly to the Olympics.”

Gregorio said it’s one step at a time in achieving ABAP’s goals. “If you analyze well, ABAP has quietly achieved historic victories in the world juniors and in women’s boxing,” said Gregorio. “This is unprecedented. Josie’s achievement was a milestone and her reward is P1 Million from PLDT. We dedicate the feat to the Filipino people as we assure them that the ABAP leadership will remain dedicated to win in the Olympics.”

Gregorio said ABAP’s grassroots program is the key to building a strong foundation for the future. “We haven’t stopped in our efforts to reach out to the grassroots level all over the country through our regional and national championships,” he said. “Only two months ago, we held the national finals in three towns in Bohol. It was a logistical nightmare but worth the effort in bringing the fights to three different towns as a way to promote boxing in the province. The cooperation of local government officials is critical in the success of the grassroots program and in Bohol, Mayor Dan Neri Lim provided all-out support.”

Gregorio said from ABAP’s grassroots initiative has emerged talents like Barriga, 18, Marcial, 16, Ian Clark Bautista, 17, and Petecio. “We’ll showcase our young fighters when we host the Asian Youth Championships in the 17-18 age group in September,” he added. “We expect over 120 fighters from 20 countries to battle for honors.”