PARIS — Boxer Eumir Marcial and gymnast Carlos Yulo have been friends a long time ago – being at the forefront of many great wars for Team Philippines in the past. 

Their bond is special that Yulo was disheartened after learning about Marcial’s shock defeat right in his first fight in the Tokyo Games here.

Not only for Marcial but also for other Filipino athletes whose Olympic journeys also ended in disappointment. 

“Nakakalungkot din po,” said Yulo. “As an athlete, sino ba may gusto na ganoong pangyayari. Pero ganun talaga nasa sports tayo, di natin ma-expect kung anong mangyayari.”

Despite their misfortunes in the Paris Olympics here, Yulo was proud of them, overcoming adversities along the way to reach this far – in the lovely French capital dotted with iconic landmarks.

“Proud ako sa mga Pinoy na nandito, grabe paghanga ko sa kanila,” said Yulo.

While Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Dicky Bachmann were saddened by the setbacks suffered by Team PH – now reduced to 15 from 22 – the country remained on track of winning at least a gold.

Tolentino described Marcial’s first round exit as an “extremely emotional,” considering the sacrifice and dedication the bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020 poured for Paris.

“I know how painful it is for Eumir to bear the loss,” Tolentino said. “We feel his disappointment and frustration, but it’s not the end all for him.”

“But if we look at the tangibles, the light heavyweight is not for Eumir,” he said. “He’s small for the weight class, while the other boxers are bigger and heftier.”