Three rounds into his second Olympics stint, Eumir Marcial’s golden dreams turned into a nightmare after an early exit from Paris 2024.
For the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Eumir Marcial entered as among the Philippine favorites to win a medal.
But after a strong run in Tokyo 2020 where he won a bronze medal, Marcial entered Paris 2024 with dreams of gold.
Three rounds into his second Olympics stint, Marcial’s golden dreams turned into a nightmare, with the Filipino boxing star taking an upset loss to 20-year-old Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan.
[Related: Eumir Marcial absorbs shocking early exit from Paris 2024 after losing to young Uzbek foe]
Against his taller and younger foe, Marcial never found his usual rhythm in the three rounds, resulting in arguably the biggest disappointment in the Philippine Centennial Team’s ongoing Paris 2024 campaign.
An emotional Marcial acknowledged his loss, but not without contemplating what would have been.
“Unang-una, no excuses no. Ganun talaga. Naging mahirap and hindi natin nakuha yung panalo dahil siya yung better today,” he said.
“Nakakalungkot, kumbaga yung pangarap ko biglang gumuho,” Marcial added. "Hindi ko po alam, ito na po sana yung best chance ko na makuha yung gold."
Heading into Paris, Marcial certainly didn’t lack preparation.
However, good preparation doesn’t guarantee a win and a vulnerable Marcial can only ask for solace and forgiveness from the Filipino people he proudly represented at the Olympic Games.
“Ginawa namin yung best para maging maganda yung performance ko at makuha natin ang panalo, pero ganun yung naging desisyon,” he said.
“Hindi ko alam paano ko i-explain sa lahat ng Pilipino na naniniwala sakin. Nanghihingi lang po ako ng pasensya sa lahat ng Pilipino na naniwala at sumuporta sakin, sana po ganun pa rin yung suporta nila sakin.”
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan/One Sports)