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Rogen Radon and Christian Pitto Laurente lose in the first round of the 2nd World Qualifying Tournament for the Paris Olympics
MANILA, Philippines – Athletes Rogen Radon and Cristian Pitt Laurente suffered the same fate in their respective bids to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Both Radon and Llorente were defeated in their opening matches in Bangkok, Thailand over the weekend, making them early competitors in the second world qualifying tournament for the Paris Games.
Radon, a former Olympian who represented Spain at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, lost a 1-4 decision to Rafael Lozano Serrano of Spain in the round of 64 in the men's 51 kg class on Saturday, May 25.
“I'm sorry, but that was all I could do,” Ladon said in Filipino.
Philippine Boxing Federation secretary-general Marcus Jerwin Manalo said staying in a lighter weight class while his teammate Carlo Param competed in the heavier 57kg division took a toll on Rodan.
Radon also lost at the first world qualifier held in Busto Arsizio, Italy, in March, with his Bago City team eliminated in the round of 16.
“The weight cut was effective this time. He wanted to move up a weight class before the qualifiers, but Carlo also moved up a weight class and we ended up in the same weight class,” Manalo said.
“However, Rogen has done his best to represent us at this stage and for that we are grateful.”
Meanwhile, Llorente lost by unanimous decision to Muhammadsabir Bazarbai-Uul of Kazakhstan in the 64th round of the men's 63.5 kg weight class on Sunday, May 26.
Unbeaten in 12 professional fights, the General Santos City native was easy prey for the heavily favored Kazakhstani, a former Asian Youth champion.
With Radon and Llorente eliminated, Param and Elgie Bacadan are the only two left to fight in Bangkok and are hoping to face Filipino boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesty Petecio and Ayla Villegas in Paris.
Basiadan will begin her women's 75kg campaign on Monday, taking on Spain's Dunia Martinez in the round of 32.
Param, who opened the tournament on Tuesday with a unanimous decision win, will resume his bid to return to the Olympics when he takes on Turkmenistan's Shukur Obezov in the 32nd round. – Rappler.com
