Hergie Bacyadan has already qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 while still adjusting to the world of Boxing.
With an Olympic Games spot at stake, Hergie Bacyadan ensured she would not be denied entry to Paris 2024.
Bacyadan punched her way to a golden ticket for the Olympic Games via unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza by scores of 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27, 29-27, in the women’s 75-kg category of the 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Thailand on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Bacyadan became the fifth Filipino boxer to earn a trip to Paris as she joined Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Carlo Paalam.
[ALSO READ: LIST: Filipino athletes qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024]
Despite facing a well-experienced foe in Yriza, Bacyadan erased all the pressure to claim the coveted Olympic spot.
“In-adapt ko nalang 'yung kaba tapos pag dating sa ring, nawala na lahat 'yun,” Bacyadan told Chiqui Roa-Puno after her match.
“Bakbak kung bakbak kasi sabi ko talagang since nung first round namin sabi ko, 'Hindi puwede na ito, last na ito.' Marami akong coaches na naka-abang sa akin, mga taong may tiwala sa akin kaya bakit ko pa sasayangin pagkakataon na ito,” she added.
Prior to boxing, Bacyadan was a world vovinam champion, having won the women's combat 66 kg division of the Vietnamese martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City last November 2023.
But from a different martial arts, Bacyadan switched to boxing in pursuit of her Olympic dreams, which have now become a reality.
“From wushu to boxing, medyo nahirapan ako nun since nag-start ako mag-training sa boxing. Ang hirap lalo footwork ganyan kasi pag sa kickboxing, pagsusuntok, sisipa ka, siyempre nandun ka lang eh. Unlike sa boxing na pag-suntok mo, iilag ka pa tapos siside ka pa. Kulang pa po pero tatrabahuin pa natin,” said Bacyadan.
Despite being relatively new in the boxing scene, Bacyadan has already made it to the Olympic Games, vowing to work even harder as the competition draws closer.
“Natapos na ‘yung trabaho ko dito sa qualifying [round]. Mas tatrabahuin ko pa ‘yung darating na mas malaki pa pong event [which is the Olympic Games Paris 2024],” said Bacyadan.