By Nick Giongco
Filipino boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno plan to use the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to become even better.
Boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Handout photo)
After the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese organizers reached an agreement to move the July 24-Aug. 9, 2020 Games to “not later than the summer of 2021” over the coronavirus pandemic, the two recently-minted qualifiers told the Bulletin of their respective plans.
Middleweight Marcial, who didn’t only qualify but won the gold medal in the Asia-Oceania qualifiers early this month in Amman, Jordan, intends to improve his craft.
“Gagamitin ko ang postponement para mag-improve pa lalo,” said Marcial, who remains thrilled that he is officially qualified.
“Mabilis lang naman ang panahon,” said the Zamboanga-born Marcial from his own house in Imus, Cavite.
Magno, who made the Olympic grade after winning a box-offs in the flyweight quarterfinals also in Jordan, echoes Marcial’s sentiments on getting ready for next year.
“Okay na rin kasi mabibigyan ako ng chance na mag-ensayo at pagbutihin ang paghahanda,” said Magno from a rented room in Baguio City where she remains quarantined.
Like Marcial, Magno uses the lockdown to sweat it out on a daily basis.
“Hirap din kasi yung wala kang ginagawa. Lalo ka lng manghihina,” added Magno.
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) has reminded Marcial and Magno and the rest of the national team to be on ‘active rest’ mode.
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said that once everything clears up, the fighters will be re-assembled and the Olympic buildup will commence.