Despite experiencing the sting of defeat in his own Olympic journey, Filipino boxer and Atlanta 1996 Olympian Reynaldo Galido has a new-found purpose as a mentor for Filipino boxers in Paris 2024.
It was 1996 when the Olympic Games were held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The 21-year-old rising star Reynaldo Galido competed in the men’s light welterweight division.
Galido had already carved his name in the Philippine boxing industry. Before the 1996 Olympic Games, he won a gold medal at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan.
He was brimming with confidence and dreams of bringing home a medal for the country.
But unfortunately, his Olympic aspirations were cut short after having an early encounter with world no. 1 and eventual silver medalist, Oktay Urtal of Germany.
“Alam mo, ang lungkot lungkot ko no’ng natalo ako. Kasi no’ng time na ‘yon, number two ako sa world. Siya naman [Urtal], number 1. Kami agad ang naglaban. Ayun nga, hindi sinuwerte. Ganun talaga ang laro, eh. Boxing. ‘Pag talaga hindi sa’yo, hindi talaga,” Galido recalled in an interview with Cignal TV/One Sports.
He did not have a chance to return to the Olympic stage again due to a shoulder injury during the qualifiers for Sydney 2000.
But sometimes, life gives us second chances in ways we never imagined.
After the heartbreaking loss that denied him the chance to fight again, the Philippine boxing legend has found a new purpose as a mentor to Filipino boxers in Paris 2024. He became one of the coaches for the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).
He was a flagbearer at the Olympic Games in 1996. Now, two more boxers in Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam would bear the flag for the Philippines in Paris 2024.
"Sa akin, napakaswerte. Napakasaya ko dito sa training. 'Yong flagbearer ngayon [ng Pilipinas], sa atin din na boxing team. 'Yong time namin, ako rin ang flag bearer ng 1996 sa Olympics. Parang nafe-feel ko na rin na kasama pa rin ako sa ganito. At least, nandito ako,” Galido said.
Now that his journey has come full circle, the Philippine Olympian turned mentor, Reynaldo Galido, is ready to strive for honor for the country and leave a legacy of pride and perseverance on the world stage.
In 1996, he was one of those who bore witness to Onyok Velasco's heartbreaker of a silver medal finish. In Tokyo 2020, Petecio and Paalam also hauled silver for boxing, along with Eumir Marcial's bronze.
Now, training with Petecio, Paalam, Marcial, and Hergie Bacyadan for Paris 2024, Galido paves the path for the Philippines' continuing dream of Olympic boxing gold.
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan, Cignal TV/One Sports)
Story Summary:
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Reynaldo Galido's Olympic journey began in 1996 with high hopes, representing the Philippines in boxing's light welterweight division, but was cut short by a tough match against world no. 1 Oktay Urtal.
- Despite setbacks, including a career-ending shoulder injury before Sydney 2000, Galido found redemption as a coach for ABAP, mentoring Filipino boxers like Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam for Paris 2024.
- From being a flagbearer in 1996 to guiding current Olympians, Galido's story embodies resilience and continues to inspire hope for Olympic success in Philippine boxing.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]