Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan open up about early exits in Olympics

Philippine boxers Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan took to social media to share their thoughts on their early exits in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Marcial ended his campaign at the Round of 16 of the men's 80kg boxing, while Bacyadan also finished in the Round of 16 of the women's 75kg event.

In a video posted on Thursday, Marcial rallied Filipinos to still continue supporting those who represent the flag in the Summer Games.

"Sana po, itong mga natitirang araw, sama-sama pa rin po nating suportahan ang mga Pilipino na lumalaban pa rito sa Paris Olympics. Hindi man nakuha ng idol Eumir n'yo ang gold, sana makuha ng mga kasamahan natin dahil ang tagumpay nila ay tagumpay nating lahat," he said.

(Hopefully, in the remaining days, we will still support the Filipinos competing here in the Paris Olympics. I may have not been able to win the gold but hopefully, our compatriots get it because their victory is also ours.)

He also shared that he is happy to represent the country in the Olympics for the second straight time.

"Im so proud na for the second time, nag-represent ako sa Olympics dala ang bandila natin. Even if mahirap para sa akin sa weight class ko, 'di ko ine-expect na nandito ako kasi ang weight class ko tinanggal. 'Yung natural fighting weight ko ay middleweight, lumaban ako rito ng light heavyweight. Sobrang grateful pa rin, sobrang blessed pa rin ako kay God dahil ginagabayan niya ako at pinapakita niya sa akin na totoo Siya. Kailangan lang natin maniwala sa kanya, i-offer ang self sa kanya," Marcial added.

(I'm so proud that for the second time, I carried our flag in the Olympics. Even if it's hard because this is not my natural weight class as I previously competed in middleweight, this time I fought in light heavyweight. I'm still grateful, I'm blessed by God because He guides me and He shows he is true. We just have to believe and offer ourselves to Him.)

The Filipino boxer claimed a bronze medal back in Tokyo 2020 from the middleweight event.

Marcial also thanked those who supported him and reiterated that he has yet to decide on the next step of his career.

Bacyadan, meanwhile, is proud to have shared the ring with China's Li Qian.

"Dati pangarap ko lang makalaban si China dahil sobrang idol ko 'yan. Nung una ko makalaban si China sa USA, sabi ko sa sarili ko 'Makakalaban ko din 'to sa Olympics' kaya sobrang nakaka-proud na makakalaban ko ang top seed twice Olympian medalist," the boxer wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday.

(Before, I only dreamt of going against China because she is my idol. When I first fought her in the US, I told myself I'll face her in the Olympics, that's why I'm proud to go against the top-seeded, two-time Olympian medalist.)

Bacyadan also apologized to the Filipinos after the loss, but made a promise.

"Sa buong Pilipinas, paumanhin dahil nabigo ko kayo. Pangako na lalaban ako ulit para sa bansa natin at mas pag-iigihan ko pa sa mga susunod."

(To the whole Philippines, I'm sorry because I failed you. I promise to fight again for the country and I will do better.)

Philippine boxing though is not yet done with its campaign as Aira Villegas and Carlo Paalam will still compete in their respective weight class' quarterfinals, while Nesthy Petecio will also hope to advance to the quarterfinals.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News