Pinay boxer Hergie Bacyadan will face a monumental task as she goes up against China's Li Qian in the round of 16 women's 75kg of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
This might be her first Olympic appearance, but Filipina boxer Hergie Bacyadan is not shying away from the opportunity.
Bacyadan and the rest of the Philippine boxing team were among the first to arrive in Metz, France, for the month-long preparation for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
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Since then, the 29-year-old Kalinga native has been working hard to improve her skills in Olympic Boxing—women's 75kg.
In fact, Bacyadan even stepped up to the challenge of facing male boxers during her sparring sessions.
“The best talaga sakin maka-partner ng lalaki eh kasi parang 'yun na 'yung advantage ko sa ring eh. Wala na akong nararamdaman, manhid na 'yung mukha ko kasi sa lalaki palang manhid na 'yung mukha ko eh,” Bacyadan told One Sports’ Carlo Pamintuan.
“Sobrang laking tulong talaga ng mga lalaki talaga na maka-partner talaga kasi iba 'yung dala sa ring pagka sila 'yung ka-sparring mo,” she added.
Bacyadan is now hoping to use the lessons she learned from her male opponents to her advantage when she faces her female foes in the Olympics.
“Pagka-sila [male boxers] 'yung ka-sparring mo, manggagaling ka sa kanila mag-spar, hanggang sa makikipag-spar ka sa babae, parang 'yung reflex, 'yung power, parang na-adapt mo na eh,” said Bacyadan.
With every punch and jab thrown at her, Bacyadan will be reminded of her message to her future self, who will compete in her biggest tournament yet.
“Kaya ko ito and may tiwala ako sa sarili ko and faith kay Lord talaga. Lahat Lord tinataas ko na sayo. Kung anoman ang magiging resulta ng laban, the best ka Lord. Ikaw na bahala sa amin, and sa ibang manlalaro na maglalaro sa Paris Olympics. Good luck myself,” said Bacyadan.
[ALSO READ: For PH, LGBTQ+, Kalinga: Hergie Bacyadan hopes to turn adversities into success in Paris 2024]
Bacyadan will begin her gold medal hunt on Wednesday, July 31, at 6:04 p.m. (PHI time). Her opponent in the Round of 16 will be China’s Li Qian, who won bronze in the Rio 2016 and a silver in Tokyo 2020.
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Catch her live on One Sports Digital on Facebook and YouTube, One Sports’ free-to-air channel, the Cignal TV Pop-up channel 2, and Pilipinas Live.