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AIBA champion Eumir Marcial eyes Olympic boxing gold


The country’s newest boxing champion, light bantamweight Eumir Marcial of Zamboanga City, has Olympic gold in his sights. Marcial is back in Manila after winning the gold in the 52-kilogram division of the AIBA World Junior Championship in Astana, Kazakstan. “Gusto ko pong maka-gold sa Olympics at makatulong sa aking pamilya," said the soft-spoken Marcial in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum with proud parents Eulalio and Carmelita looking on. Marcial became the first Filipino to emerge as a champion in the prestigious AIBA tournament after defeating Cengiz Onat of Turkey, 9-7. Still 15 years old, Marcial is not yet eligible for the 2012 London Olympics, but he can be ready for the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016. Marcial received a P300,000 cash incentive from team’s sponsor Smart-PLDT for the historic victory. He said he will use the money for their home in Zamboanga. “Sabi po sa akin gamitin sa magandang paraan ‘yung pera para magamit ng pamilya ko," the champion said. Before competing in Kazakstan, Marcial trained in Manila for three months and participated in several regional tournaments of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP). Via telephone interview, ABAP executive director Ed Picson said Marcial showed great work ethic during his three-month stay in Manila and at the AIBA tournament under the tutelage of Olympian Romeo Brin. “He is a versatile fighter. He can box but he also has power in his punch. But more importantly, he listens to his coach," the ABAP executive director said. National coach Patricio Gaspi said that the prior to the tournament, a gold medal victory of Marcial was not far-fetched goal because he showed his potential in previous bouts. “Noon pa man, lumilitaw na ang pangalan niya sa mga tournaments lalo na sa Mindanao. Nakakitaan na namin siya ng potential kaya inabsorb na namin siya sa national team," Gaspi said. -- ELR/OMG, GMA News

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