Not the one to celebrate his own birthday, Carlo Paalam still got a meaningful celebration to mark his 26th year as he prepares to once again go for gold in the Olympic Games.
It was July 16, 1998 when a baby boy was born in Talakag, Bukidnon. It may not have been apparent then as he was born into humble beginnings, but that kid was meant for great things.
26 years later, on the day, Carlo Paalam took another step forward in his quest for more Olympic glory. In Ring B of the outstanding training facility in Saarbruken, Germany, Paalam climbed on top of the ring joined, as usual, by his long-time trainer Elmer Pamisa.
Testing him this time in sparring is a young Mongolian boxer in Enkhsaikhan Oyun-Erdene. The Mongolian was a stylist. He tried to use his superior reach to keep Paalam at bay with jabs. However, the Filipino boxer has already seen this before.
Paalam took about 90 seconds to figure out the distance. After that, he made it apparent that Oyun-Erdene was not yet in his level.
“Nung una sinusukat ko yung distansya para malaman ko paano kukunin yung score. Yung matatangkad kasi, pa-jab-jab lang pero alam ko na rin naman anong gagawin,” Paalam explained after the match.
“Inaaral ko rin yung defense ko para makita ko kung saan akong hiyang.”
Paalam and his coach both thought he could do more against his opponent but they agreed that he also needed more minutes of sparring to test his conditioning.
“Sabi ng coach ko, tapusin ko yung rounds kasi malaking bagay na matapos yung laban para sa endurance ko,” the boxer said.
“Pwede ko naman tapusin talaga yung laban pero nilaro ko muna. At least nung nagka-kumpiyansa siyang sumuntok, mas madali ko siyang napasukan,” he added, masterfully using his opponent’s confidence against him.
In the third round, Paalam trapped Oyun-Erdene on the ropes and launched a left uppercut to the body that decked the Mongolian. Eumir Marcial, who was serving as the referee for the fight, quickly stepped in.
For Paalam, it was just another day at the office. His birthday has never really been a big deal to him. Because his family didn’t have much, there was no chance to celebrate.
“Kanina nag-celebrate sila sa Pilipinas,” he said about his family back home. “Sabi ko wag na kasi malayo naman ako pero nag-celebrate sila kahit konti.
Pag birthday, wala naman sa akin. Lilipas lang yan. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, hindi ko na-appreciate yung ganun. Tulog na lang, tapos pag-gising mo, tapos na.”
In the thick of training here in Germany with one final week of camp remaining before the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Paalam was ready to call it a day and rest after sparring.
But his family, at least the one he found along the way, would not let him go without a simple gesture.
Paalam’s coaches and teammates bought a cake to wish him a happy birthday and even the guy who doesn’t usually celebrate his birthday broke into a smile.
“Thankful lang ako kasi malusog tayo at walang sakit,” he said. “Hindi lang naman para sa sarili ko ito. Para sa pamilya ko at para sa bayan, kaya tiis lang tayo.”
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Story Summary:
- Carlo Paalam, born in Talakag, Bukidnon on July 16, 1998, continues to pursue Olympic success in boxing with dedication and skill.
- For training camp at Saarbruken, Germany, Paalam showcased his strategic prowess in sparring against Enkhsaikhan Oyun-Erdene, demonstrating superior technique and strategy despite the Mongolian's reach advantage.
- Amid rigorous training for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Paalam remains focused on his goals, supported by his coaches and teammates, while cherishing a heartfelt birthday celebration arranged by his newfound family in the boxing community.
[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.]