By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Hergie Bacyadan just earned a huge career break in her rising boxing career after clinching a spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics on June 2, 2024.
Bacyadan became the fifth member of the PHL national boxing team to qualify in the most prestigious sporting event of the world after scoring a unanimous decision win over Maryelis Yriza of Venezuela in the women’s 75kg quarterfinal round of the second World Qualification Tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Filipina pug stamped a masterclass over the Venezuelan, scoring a lopsided 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27, 29-27, 5-0 votes from the official match judges.
Bacyadan started slow in the fight and was still conservative in throwing her combinations but in the last 1:28 of the first round, the Filipina sent in a flurry of jabs and counter right hooks that steered her to an early 1-0 lead.
Despite the double guard defense Yriza deployed to avoid receiving further damage in the final 10 seconds of the first round, Bacyadan was able to sneak in a snappy left jab that capped off the opening bell with a bang.
Bacyadan then stepped on the gas pedal in the second round, pummeling her Venezuelan opponent with heavy body punches when she cornered her in the ropes.
Midway through the second, Bacyadan had her best highlight of the fight after landing a vicious right uppercut that forced the referee to call a standing eight count.
Yriza attempted for a miracle in the third and final round and kicked off the first minutes with a series of haymakers but Bacyadan was wise enough to step away from danger.
With the victory, Bacyadan is officially a part of the Paris Olympics team composed of Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas.
