Filipina pugilists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas continued the country’s excellence in Olympic boxing with a pair of podium finishes.
Walang Ka-Paris.
Carlos Yulo’s historic performance capped off the biggest sporting moment for the Philippines this year in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The country’s centennial team that took home two golds and two bronzes in the world’s most prestigious sporting event brought immense pride and jubilation that echoed around the globe, proving that the Filipinos can compete and win at the highest level.
Golden Boy At Last
For the first time ever, “Lupang Hinirang” was played twice in the Olympic stage in a span of 24 hours.
That is after Yulo became the first and only Filipino double Olympic gold medalist after ruling both the men's floor exercise and vault event in spectacular fashion.
It was a redemption three years in the making for Yulo, who fell short in the previous edition of the tournament in Tokyo 2020.
His historic performance started a meteoric rise for the 24-year-old as an influential figure figure not only in the Philippines but also around the world.
[ALSO READ: Carlos Yulo is no longer just mere "Golden Boy," he is the GOAT]
And Yulo shows no sign of stopping as he looks forward for Los Angeles 2028 with his focus on conquering the individual all-around event.
[ALSO READ: Double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo targets all-around medal finish in LA 2028]
Glorious Punches in Paris
Boxing is a gift that keeps on giving for the Philippines in the Olympics.
Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas continued the country’s excellence in the sport after securing two bronze medals in Paris.
Petecio followed up his silver finish in Tokyo three years ago with another podium finish in the women’s 57kg event, becoming the first Filipino boxer to win multiple Olympic medals.
Villegas capped off a memorable Olympic debut with his maiden piece of silverware in the women’s 50kg event.
The Philippines accumulated 10 Olympic medals in boxing overall, the most by far in any sport.
Almost But Not Quite
The rest of the Philippine Centennial Team put out their best efforts in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with some narrowly missing the podium finish.
Top Pinoy pole vaulter EJ Obiena placed fourth in the men’s pole vault while golfer Bianca Pagdangan was one rank shy outside of the top three in women’s individual play, with Dottie Ardina ending up in 13th place.
[ALSO READ: No medal for EJ Obiena as he finishes 4th in Paris 2024 pole vault]
[ALSO READ: Bianca Pagdanganan finishes fourth for best PH golf result in Olympics, Dottie Ardina surges to 13th in Paris 2024]
Despite not taking home a medal, fencer Sam Catantan and rower Joanie Delgaco became the first Filipino athletes in their respective sports to represent the country in the grandest stage that is the Olympics.
[ALSO READ: lutch Sam Catantan wins dream Olympic fencing debut in Paris 2024]
[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: Joanie Delgaco finishes 2nd in Final D, 20th overall in women’s singles sculls]
John Cabang-Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman competed in athletics, the trio of Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo dazzled in gymnastics, with Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, and Hergie Bacyadan slugging it out in boxing.
John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando fought valiantly in weightlifting, Kiyomi Watanabe put up a fight in judo and Jordan Hatch and Kayla Sanchez went through the depths of water to raise the Philippine banner.
[ALSO READ: Whether it's "Thank You" or "Salamat" or "Merci," the Philippine Centennial Team deserve all gratitude and love]