Boxer Hergie Bacyadan carries with her the pride of Kalinga and the LGBQT+ community in her boxing campaign for Team Philippines in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Filipina boxer Hergie Bacyadan is set to represent the country at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, carrying with her the hopes and dreams of many.
But as she steps into the ring in Paris, Bacyadan also carries with her the pride of the Philippines and the hopes of the LGBTQ+ community, ready to make her mark on the world stage.
[ALSO READ: Paris-bound boxer Hergie Bacyadan proud to represent LGBTQ+ community in the Olympics]
To hammer the point home, Bacyadan will also continue to live by the motto that her tribe in Kalinga instills as she competes in the biggest sporting event in the world.
“Isa sa mga naging bitbit ko 'yung tribe namin sa Kalinga na laging sinasabi namin na iniiwan namin palagi na no retreat, no surrender eh. Kasi talagang Igorot, Kalinga, mga Hilander, talagang pupugot ng ulo 'yan eh,” said Bacyadan. “'Yun 'yung bitbit namin palagi na kailangan ng tapang, dedikasyon, and pagmamahal din siyempre sa sports na meron ka kasi parang blood na namin talagang lumaban eh since nung sa mga ninuno pa namin eh.”
“Sobrang happy ako and sobrang proud din sa sarili ko and sa na-achieve ko na ito. Pupunta na ako mas malaki pang entablado, dadalhin ko 'yung karangalan ko and tribo ko na always susuporta sakin,” she added.
With an Olympic Games spot at stake, Bacyadan ensured that she would not be denied entry to Paris 2024.
The martial artist-turned-boxer earned her golden ticket by securing a unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza, with scores of 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27, 29-27 in the women’s 75-kg category at the 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Thailand.
The 29-year-old Bacyadan became the fifth Filipino boxer to earn a trip to Paris, joining Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Carlo Paalam. The group makes for the largest boxing contingent the Philippines will send to the Olympics since Atlants 1996.
[Related: GUTS AND GLORY | Magic of Atlanta 1996 lives on with Philippines' Paris 2024 boxing team]
Despite facing a well-experienced foe in Yriza, Bacyadan managed to erase all the pressure and claim the coveted Olympic spot.
“Nung second time sabi ko, ito na 'yung last. Sabi ko, plan talaga ni Lord ito eh. Siguro talagang dadaan ka muna sa butas ng karayong bago masungkit kasi siyempre walang madali, lahat pinaghihirapan,” said Bacyadan.
[ALSO READ: ‘Sobrang na-disappoint ako’ | Hergie Bacyadan reflects on vovinam heartbreak at 2023 SEA Games ahead of Paris 2024]
Despite all the attention and pressure to do well in the Olympics, Bacyadan knows exactly how to motivate herself to reach the top.
“Hello sa sarili ko, nandito na tayo sa qualifying. Kakayanin ko lahat ng mga pagsubok, ng mga challenges at pressure na bitbit ko. Kayanin ko lang, tatagan ko lang, at tibayan ko lang, makakalusot din ako dito,” said Bacyadan.
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Story Summary:
- Hergie Bacyadan, a Filipina boxer, secured a coveted spot at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 after a decisive victory in Thailand's World Qualification Tournament.
- Representing both the Philippines and the LGBTQ+ community, Bacyadan aims to make a significant impact on the global stage of sports.
- Guided by her Kalinga heritage and a motto of resilience, she embraces the challenges ahead with determination and pride.
[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.]