Filipino trans boxer set for Olympics debut today

CEBU, Philippines — Filipino trans boxer Hergie Bacyadan proudly carries the banner of the LGBTQ+ community in the world stage.

And if ever she reaches even just the semifinal round of the Paris Olympics 2024, the 29-year-old Bacyadan will etch her name in stone as the first ever transgender male athlete to win a medal in the 128-year history of the quadrennial games.

The tribal warrior from Tabuk, Kalinga will see action in the 75-kilogram category, the heaviest weight class in women’s boxing

It would be a tall order though for Bacyadan as she faces top seed Li Qian of China in the round of 16 of her highly anticipated Olympics debut scheduled at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 31 Phl time) at the Arena Paris Nord in Villepinte.

Bacyadan is one of the five pugilists representing the Philippines at the 33rd Olympiad. The others are Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Aira Villegas.

Despite being a trans man, Bacyadan competes in the women’s division because she hasn’t undergone hormone replacement therapy or gender surgery.

She even declared on her social media accounts that she has never taken testosterone, a hormone that is responsible for many of the physical characteristics specific to adult males.

Aside from being a ring gladiator, Bacyadan is also a world champion in vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art that combines elements of boxing, judo and wushu. — (FREEMAN)