Carlo Paalam takes home Asian Games silver after narrow loss to home bet - Rappler

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FIGHT. Boxer Carlo Paalam in action for the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games.

MANILA, Philippines – Carlo Paalam came oh-so-close to ending the Philippines’ 16-year drought for a boxing gold medal in the Asian Games.

Paalam settled for silver in the men’s 55kg division following a split-decision loss to home bet Rui Yamaguchi of Japan in the final at the Nishio Gymnasium on Friday, October 2.

Yamaguchi clinched the first two rounds as he earned the nod of three of the five judges by scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, with the other two scoring it 30-27, 29-28 in favor of Paalam.

The defeat prevented the Olympic silver medalist from becoming the first Filipino boxer to rule in the Asian Games since Rey Saludar won the men’s 52kg crown in the 2010 Guangzhou, China, edition.

Paalam unanimously won the third and final round, but that hardly changed the outcome as Yamaguchi — the reigning Asian champion — pulled through for the gold.

The pride of Cagayan de Oro suffered the same fate as fellow Olympic medalist Eumir Marcial, who fell short of the men’s 80kg title in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, after a contentious unanimous decision loss to home fighter Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan. 

Still, Paalam eclipsed his bronze finish in 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he competed in the 49kg class.

The 28-year-old also saved the Philippines from what could have been its first-ever medal-less campaign in Asian Games boxing after teammates Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Junmilardo Ogayre, Norlan Petecio, and Riza Pasuit all suffered exits.

Paalam assured himself of a medal by edging China’s Zhang Jiamao in the quarterfinals, then advanced to the gold-medal bout by scraping past reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan in the semifinals. – Rappler.com