Boxer Hergie Bacyadan said she is focusing on other sports to figure things out after suffering an early exit at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In a heroes’ welcoming party held at New Port World Resorts in Pasay City recently, the 29-year-old pugilist revealed that she’s joining vovinam and kickboxing tournaments.

“Sa ngayon, mag-focus muna ako sa iba pang sports na sasalihan ko talaga which is kickboxing and vovinam,” said Bacyadan.

However, Bacyadan, a 2023 World Championship gold medalist in women’s -66kg vovinam, is still open to take another shot at the Olympics following the advice of her coaches.

Aside from boxing, the pride of Kalinga province is also a silver medalist in the Southeast Asian Games and world championships in wushu.

Though she considers herself a neophyte in boxing, Bacyadan is not making any excuses for her unsuccessful maiden Olympics campaign.

“Sabi ko nga, talo talaga. So learn your lesson na lang,” she said. “I-improve na lang yung mga kulang, yung mga kailangan pang ayusin, ayusin na para sa susunod na competition at least wala ka ng kahit na anong iniisip pa na kulang.”

According to her coaches, Bacyadan has the power, however, she must improve her timing and follow up to her strong punches.

Bacyadan underscored that she let her faith work on her future.

“Actually, sabi ng mga coaches, pwede pa daw ako sa LA 2028. Mag-training lang, and tumutok siguro mga straight ko ng sabi nila three years to two years. Pwedeng-pwede na ako makipagsabayan sa mga top seeded eh,” Bacyadan said.

“So sa ngayon, sabi ko hindi ko pa masabi kung itutuloy ko pa pero sana, ibigay sa akin ni Lord yung pagkakataon na yun,” she added.

For Bacyadan, qualifying in the grandest sports’ tournament is a huge blessing for her despite her round-of-16 defeat to Chinese top seed Li Qian in the women’s 75kg class.

“Siguro may pressure man, pero pagdating mo ng ring, wala na. So ayun, sabi ko nga sa mga [idol] ko na Olympian, sila Nesthy, sila Marcial, sila Carlo, sabi ko makatungtong pa lang ako ng Olympic,” said Bacyadan. “Makasama ko kayo, sobrang proud na proud na ako sa sarili ko.”

She alongside Eumir Marcial (men’s middleweight) and Carlo Paalam (men’s featherweight) exited the Paris gates early. But veteran Nesthy Petecio (women’s featherweight) and debutant Aira Villegas (women’s flyweight) capped the boxing delegation with two bronze medals.