NAGOYA, Japan — Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam will gun for the men’s 55kg gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after surviving a tight semifinal battle and advancing to the championship round.
Paalam booked his place in the final with a 3-2 split decision victory over Kazakhstan’s Makhmud Sabyrkhan, assuring the Philippines of at least a silver medal.
The Filipino boxer will face Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi, who earned his finals berth after a dominant 5-0 decision over Mongolia’s Bilguunsaikhan Kharhuu.
Ahead of the title bout, Paalam called on Filipino supporters to continue backing him as he seeks another major international victory.
“Please po support me. Sana po pagdasal niyo kami at sana makuha natin yung gold medal soon po,” Paalam said.
Yamaguchi, 22, enters the final with the advantage of fighting before a home crowd and after a string of victories in international amateur competitions this year.
But Paalam’s camp remains confident in his condition heading into the gold medal match.
“Kahit sino diyan kaya na natin kasi maganda naman yung condition ni Carlo, wala naman tayong problema,” coach Elmer Pamisa said.
Paalam is one of the Philippines’ top medal hopes in boxing as Team Philippines continues its campaign in Nagoya.
Photo courtesy: Philippine Olympic Committee
