Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam moved one step closer to an Asian Games gold medal after edging Kazakhstan’s Makhmud Sabyrkhan in a thrilling semifinal bout in the men’s 55kg division on Wednesday at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan.
Paalam prevailed via a 3-2 split decision over Sabyrkhan, the reigning 2025 world champion in the weight class, to secure at least a silver medal for the Philippines.
The 28-year-old Olympic silver medalist relied on his sharp counterpunching to gain the upper hand early, taking four of the five judges’ scorecards in the opening round.
Sabyrkhan responded aggressively in the second round, making the fight much closer heading into the final frame. Paalam, however, landed the more telling punches in the third round to sway the decision in his favor.
“I’m so happy to be here,” an emotional Paalam said after the fight. “Sobrang pressure sa akin… Pero no distractions in the ring.”
The victory marked Paalam’s second win over Sabyrkhan. He previously defeated the Kazakh boxer at the 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, when both competed in the bantamweight division.
Paalam acknowledged that Sabyrkhan had significantly improved since their first meeting.
“Sobrang gumaling din po. Sobrang gumaling ang laro niya,” Paalam said. “Unahan lang kami kung paano mag-counter, so nauunahan ko pa siya.”
Paalam will now fight for the gold medal against Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi, who defeated Mongolia’s Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu by unanimous decision in the other semifinal.
“Gawin ko ’yung best ko,” Paalam said. “Step by step, gawin ko ’yung best ko.”
The result guarantees the Philippine boxing team at least a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, however, were unable to reach the medal rounds in their respective divisions.
