Tokyo Olympic medalist Carlo Paalam together with nine other national boxers are now in Bulgaria to compete in the 74th Strandja International Boxing Tournament, considered the oldest international amateur boxing tournament in Europe. Paalam will be fighting in the 54kg are category. It will be his first tournament for the year.
Joining him are Marvin Tabano (51kg), Asian Elite Championship bronze medalist Junmilardo Ogayre (57kg), Paul Julyfer Gascon (60kg), and SEA Games bronze medalist James Palicte (63.5kg). Meanwhile, Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio (57kg.) will lead the women boxers which include Cleo Tesara (48kg), Thailand Open silver medalist Aira Villegas (50kg), Tokyo Olympian and SEA Games silver winner Irish Magno ( 52kg), and Maricel Dela Torre (54kg).
Team Philippines will be using the tournament as a tune-up ahead of tougher international tournaments such as the World Women’s Championships, Cambodia SEA Games, Asian Games, and Paris Olympics qualifying legs.
