Magno looks at Tokyo for possible breakthrough

MANILA, Philippines — Hungry for the cherished gold in a major international competition, Filipina boxer Irish Magno looks at next year’s Tokyo Olympics as a possible venue for her breakthrough.

Magno, a two-time silver medalist and one-time bronze winner in the Southeast Asian Games, upstaged her more illustrious peers by beating them to the draw in making the Philippine Olympic Team to Tokyo.

“Isang beses pa lang ako nag-gold,  noong 2012 sa Taipei Invitational Tournament, after noon, wala na, hindi na ako naka-gold (After winning at the 2012 Taipei Invitational, I haven’t won a gold again),” Magno said in the PSC Hour program on Radyo Pilipinas.

“So yun po talaga ang pangarap ko – gold medal – wala na akong hahanapin pa pag nakuha ko yun. Kaya kailangan talagang trabahuhin (I dream for the gold, there’s nothing else I would have wanted. But I have to really work for it),” she added.

The flyweight ace from Janiuay, Iloilo is among four Pinoy athletes who have made the Olympic grade prior to the COVID-19 stoppage. She’s in the company of fellow pugilist Eumir Felix Marcial, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Magno, 28, is hoping the Games will proceed in July 2021.

“Ipinagdarasal ko na sana matigil na itong COVID, magkaroon ng gamot at matuloy ang Tokyo Olympics sa 2021 (I’m praying for an end to the COVID crisis and for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to push through),” he said.

Magno and the women’s boxing team currently based in Baguio have been doing their morning training at the Teachers’ Camp’s track oval.

Given the quarantine restrictions, the routine involves only jogging, shadow boxing and punching mitts with safety protocols.

The boxers will break camp soon and leave for their hometowns, upon the orders of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Magno said she’ll continue with her own workouts in Iloilo.

“Nakikipag-usap ako sa boxing gym malapit sa bayan namin, kapag okay na at pwede na sila mag-operate, baka pwede akong mag-training doon (There’s a boxing gym near my home town and if they’ll be allowed to operate, I might arrange to train there),” she said.