The Philippine boxing team will have five medal contenders for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion and bemedaled national athlete Eduard “Landslide” Folayang has high hopes for the Philippines in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Seeing how far the national athletes have progressed since his time in the early 2000s competing in wushu, Folayang has no doubt that the country will take home medals once again this year.
“I’m confident with our athletes. That confidence comes seeing all their sacrifices and hard work just to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
“I know that we will be bringing home medals.”
The former Asian Games silver and bronze medalist, and three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner is keeping an eye on the boxing team this year.
The boxers had a good haul in Tokyo 2020 with Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam snagging silver, while Eumir Marcial took home the bronze.
These three are returning this year alongside new prospects Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan.
Eight of the 14 medals the country has won have come from boxing, and Folayang believes a golden finish for our pugs is long overdue.
“My dream is a golden haul for our boxers because this is really where we’re known,” Folayang said.
But he won’t be complaining as long as the Philippines continues to bring home medals.
As someone who knows the sacrifices, the heartbreaks, and the ultimate feeling of triumph, Folayang wants nothing but the best for these national athletes, so he’ll be turning into a die-hard fan when the Olympics kick off this weekend.
“We’re all praying for a successful campaign for our athletes,” he said.
“It’s a different feeling, with the flag of your country etched on your shoulders. I know the type of sacrifices that they’ve done to be in this position, and whatever happens, I just want them to give their best shot and God will strengthen them all.”
It will definitely be a loaded August for Folayang. Aside from watching the Olympics, he’ll also be cheering for his former teammate Carlo Bumina-ang when he debuts at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart this August 3.
Bumina-ang takes on #5-ranked bantamweight MMA contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu when he makes his official ONE Championship main roster debut at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.