Petecio, Paalam look to secure medals in 2026 Asian Games

Manila Times - Sep 27, 2026

FILIPINO Olympic boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam look to secure podium finishes in their respective divisions at the 20th Asian Games in Japan on Monday. Petecio guns for a semifinal berth and at least a bronze medal as she faces Chinese Yang Chengyu in the women's 60-kg quarterfinals at the Nishio Gymnasium. The Olympic silver and bronze medalist takes on Yang at 4:30 p.m. in Manila. Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalist Paalam likewise aims to secure a bronze in the men's 55-kg division quarterfinals at the same venue.   Paalam battles Chinese Zhang Jiamao at 5:15 p.m. Eventual losing semifinalists in boxing will no longer figure in a battle for third matches and will be awarded with bronze medals right away, instead. Petecio booked her quarterfinal ticket after scoring an RSC (referee stops contest) win against Jordanian Mays Alreem Abukhadijah in the first round (round of 16) last Saturday. The 34-year-old unleashed a right hook at the 1:51 mark of the second round that shook Abukhadijah, as the referee deemed it a knockdown and ruled the latter unfit to continue after the count. If Petecio beats Yang, she will face either Tajik Mijgona Samadova or Indian Priya. On the other hand, Paalam scored a majority decision win over Jadumani...

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