This might be Hergie Bacdayan's first and last Olympic appearance. But as they say, never say never.
Lady luck is not on the side of Team Philippines as Hergie Bacyadan crashed out of the Paris 2024.
But the first-time Olympiad savored the moment of sharing the ring together with her idol, two-time Olympic medalist Li Quan of China.
“Dream come true na makalaban ko talaga yung iniidolo ko sa boxing,” Bacyadan said after suffering a unanimous decision loss against Quan in their round of 16 match in the women’s 75-kg event.
[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: Hergie Bacyadan suffers early exit in Olympic debut against Chinese foe]
Hergie is now the latest Philippine boxer to crash out of Paris 2024, after Eumir Marcial absorbed a shocking opening round earlier.
“Happy ako sa experience ko na ‘to, na-overwhelm lang talaga ako na kalaban ko yung idol [ko]. Actually, idol ko talaga ‘yan [Li ].
Facing a tall task, Bacyadan could answer back to Li’s combination shots and timely jabs that took the Igorot pugilist game out early.
Bacyadan finally landed combination shots against Li in the third round -- his best showing in the match -- and even put the Chinese bet on the ropes, but the latter would eventually recover to conclude the quick three-round bout.
All five judges scored 30-27 in favor of Li as Bacyadan was quick to share the disappointment afterwards.
‘Nakakapanghinayang kasi nandito na ko,” the 29-year-old admitted.
“Ginawan naman natin ‘yung makakaya natin para maipanalo’ yung laban kaso kulang pa talaga sa [international] experience sa boxing.”
As for trying another Olympic shot, Bacyadan did not give a definitive answer and admitted his attention now is on building a family.
Siguro, pag-iisipan ko pa po. Siguro callout ko na din talaga gawa ng magtatayo na kami ng family ni misis.”