The Olympic cycle that was promised.
This is it, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the cycle that was promised.
When Ricky Vargas became president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) in 2009, he promised that after three Olympic cycles, the country can gun for the sought-after gold.
"Mukhang this is as good a chance as any to get a gold medal," said new ABAP president and Antipolo congressman Robbie Puno to Noli Eala on Saturday's Power and Play on Radyo5.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a watershed moment for Philippine sports, with the country delivering its best performance yet.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history by being the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal. Nesthy Petecio became the first Filipina to win an Olympic boxing medal, and the first silver for the Philippine boxing in 25 years. Carlo Paalam followed up on that feat with a silver of his own, while Eumir Marcial snagged a bronze.
Puno shared that the country will be banking on these boxers—and more—for that elusive boxing gold.
"We have Nesthy. She's 31 years old. Siguro one more go at it. Kayang kaya niya yan," Puno said.
She already started things off with a gold at the 57 kg division of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
"Probably our number one chance to get gold in the Olympics."
Paalam though would have to select his weight class, winning Olympic silver at the 51 kg division and a SEA Games gold at the 54 kg division.
Puno also confirmed that Marcial is scheduled to come back for the Asian Games later this year at the 80 kg division.
It's going to be a tighter contest this time around, as the boxing organizers in Paris allocated 120 spots each for males and females. Compared to the SEA Games where there were 11 divisions for men and five for women, the Olympics will only have seven for men and six for women.
Puno explained that ABAP will look to qualify immediately at the Asian Games. The women would need at least a bronze, while the men would have to reach the final round to secure their spot.
The pressure is immense, but ABAP is ready to take on the challenge by welcoming sparring partners from other countries, participating in a multi-nation camp in India, as well as holding another training session at Inspire.
"This is the cycle we're supposed to get the medals we promised," Puno said. "The correct response is to prepare properly."