Eumir Marcial turns emotional after shock Olympic exit: 'Tulungan n'yo ako magsimula ulit'

Eumir Marcial turned emotional after his shocking exit in the 2024 Paris Olympics on early Wednesday (Philippine time).

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist fell short as Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev won via unanimous decision in their Round of 16 match in the men's 80kg division of the Summer Games.

As he faced members of the Philippine Olympic Committee media, including GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano, Marcial said he has yet to decide on what the next step in his boxing career will be.

"'Sana po, 'yung mga Pilipinong naniniwala pa rin sa akin, sana tulungan n'yo ako ulit na bumangon at magsimula ulit, kung sa professional career ko ba o mag-Olympics ako ulit," Marcial said.

"Mahirap po, sa sarili ko ngayon hindi ko alam saan ako magsisimula ulit pero alam ko nandiyan ang mga Pilipino na sumusuporta sa akin at ang pamilya ko, asawa ko."

(To the Filipinos who still believe in me, help me rise again and start anew, if I would [focus] on my professional career or have another shot at the Olympics. It's hard right now because I don't know where I will start but I know Filipinos, my family, and wife, are there to support me.)

Marcial admitted that not being in his natural weight class and the height advantage of the Uzbek fighter could be considered as factors in the loss, but he offered no excuse with what happened. 

"Mayroon pong disadvantage 'yun pero 'di ko sasabihin 'yun para gagawa ng excuse kung bakit 'di ako nanalo. Siguro talagang hindi para sa akin at mayroong pagkukulang, o may plano ang Panginoon para sa akin."

(There may be a disadvantage but I wouldn't use it as an excuse on why I lost. Maybe it's not for me and there are shortcomings, or the Lord has a plan for me.)

Back in Tokyo, Marcial fought in the middleweight division.

The Filipino boxer also made his pro debut in December 2020 and has a 5-0 record.

—with reports from JP Soriano/JKC, GMA Integrated News