Bacyadan’s Olympic dream fulfills

Photo: Bacyadan shares tears and joy with POC president Bambol Tolentino and sec-gen Atty. Warton Chan.

Before Hergie Bacyadan disposed of all her three opponents to earn a ticket to the Paris Olympics, she had to beat herself first.

The pride of Tabuk Kalinga went so close to giving up on her Olympic dream after crashing out of the first Olympic qualifier last March in Bustos Arsizio, Italy.

But she hung tough and credited her renewed determination and faith, to her family, teammates, and those closest to her.

“We knew how tough her life was. It wasn’t easy,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Monday from Thailand’s capital where Bacyadan and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam qualified for the Olympics over the weekend.

“But she didn’t surrender and we’re happy that Hergie can now call herself soon as an Olympian,” Tolentino said. “Just like the four other boxers, we believe in her capability and determination.”

Tolentino added: “Hergie is stronger and wiser than ever, and we know she’ll do her best in Paris.”

Bacyadan—a convert from wushu’s sanda and the first Filipino Vovinam world champion—became the fifth Filipino boxer to qualify for Paris after Aira Villegas and Tokyo Games medalist Eumir Felix Marcial and Paalam (silver) and Nesthy Petecio (bronze).

POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan also acknowledged how hard it was for Bacyadan to realize her Olympic dream.

“Her struggles were real, but as a true fighter, she defied the odds by working hard in training and playing tough,” Chan said. “It’s a great story for Hergie.”