Philippines in the AIBA Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event

Six-strong Filipino team in the AIBA Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event in Qianan

Philippines selected six-strong team to the upcoming AIBA Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event which will be held in Qianan, China. The first competition day is March 25 in the event where one woman and five men boxers will be representing Philippines which country is traditionally strong in our combat sport.
Philippines claimed two silver medal in the last edition of the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok and one runner-up place in the ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships in Wulanchabu, China while their Light Flyweight class (49 kg) boxer Rogen Ladon achieved bronze at the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Qatar.
Nesthy Petecio was selected as lone woman boxer to fight for Philippines in Qianan who proved better performance than her competitive teammates such as Josie Gabuco and Irish Magno. The 23-year-old Filipino lady moved down to the Olympic Flyweight class (51 kg) but in her original category she is silver medallist from the Jeju 2014 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and also from the ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships.
Rogen Ladon was an unknown boxer in the beginning of the current Olympic era but he quickly adopted the level of the world class. The 22-year-old Light Flyweight class (49 kg) boxer replaced London 2012 Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga and achieved silver firstly in the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok and a bronze in the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships therefore his expectations are high in Qianan.
Philippines’ had a strong Flyweight class (52 kg) boxer in the recent big international competitions, Ian Clark Bautista but due his shoulder injury he was replaced by 22-year-old Roldan Boncales. His replacement claimed gold medal at the 2012 Filipino National Games and won one contest at the 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships and he could be the secret weapon of their delegation.
Mario Fernandez involved to the national squad in August 2012 when he claimed the gold medal at the Taipei City Cup. Since then the 22-year-old Bantamweight class (56 kg) boxer achieved bronze in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games and gold in the last edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. Fernandez defeated top boxers in the recent two years therefore he could be also enough strong to get a spot for Rio.
Philippines’ top Lightweight class (60 kg) boxer Charly Suarez was near to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games but he missed his final step four years ago. The experienced team member recovered from his injuries and claimed silver at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games in Korea while he was also successful in the World Series of Boxing and later in the AIBA Pro Boxing.
Eumir Felix Marcial robbed into the world of boxing in 2011 when he defeated all of his rivals at the AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Astana. He stepped into another level in 2013 when he achieved gold at the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships in Subic Bay. Now the Welterweight class (69 kg) boxer is silver medallist in the elite continental level as well after his Bangkok march and ready to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.