At A Glance
- The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist finally cut the string of futility for the PH pugs, taking down Indonesian Maikhel Muskita, 4-1, to claim his fifth career gold medal in the men's 80-kilogram final in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center on Friday, Dec. 19.
BANGKOK — With his fists packed with the hopes of his fallen comrades, Eumir Marcial went for the decisive rally in the third round.
His victory, unlike those of the 14 golds of the hosts, was beyond doubt.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist finally cut the string of futility for the PH pugs, taking down Indonesian Maikhel Muskita, 4-1, to claim his fifth career gold medal in the men’s 80-kilogram final in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center on Friday, Dec. 19.
With both fighters tied after two rounds, Marcial went for the kill in the final frame, hurting the Indonesian with a big right that put him on the ropes.
The 30-year-old fighter followed it up with a barrage of punches that proved to be the telling blows for the Filipino to take the precious mint and help the PH boxing team avoid a gold-less campaign in the SEA Games.
“Di ko inieexpect talagaa. Di ko inaasahan na makasali ako dito at makuha ko iyong ika limang gold medal ko sa SEA Games. Di lang to para sa akin. Para sa buong bayan ito at sa Philippine boxing team, para sa amin po itong lahat,” he added.
Marcial’s victory avenged the earlier painful losses of Aira Villegas, Jay Brian Baricuatro and Flint Jara who all settled for silvers after tough breaks against the Thai bets.
Also with the win, the Philippine boxing team ended the SEA Games with medal tally of one gold, three silvers and six bronzes.