UP-AND-COMING Ronel Suyom bagged a silver medal that glittered like gold at the World Youth Boxing Championships over the weelend in La Nucia, Spain.
Suyom, a 17-year-old from the Cagayan de Oro Boxing team, took a 1-4 beating at the hands of a highly-favored Suresh Vishvanath of India in the boys’ 17 to 18 years old minimun weight final.
His silver came off the heels of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Carlo Paalam’s bantamweight gold medal at the Asian Elite Championships in Amman,Jordan barely a month ago.
A native of Bukidnon, Suyom trained at the Cagayan de Oro Gym founded by long-time Mayor Oscar Moreno. The boxing program has been continued by the newly-elected City Executive Klarex Uy.
The Mindanao boy, who lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his grandmother in the boondocks of Bukidnon, scored several upsets en route to the silver medal in the tournament which attracted more than 500 participants from 73 countries.
Suyom disposed of the host country’s bet Rafael Lozano Serrano, a European Youth champion, who he dropped in the first round before notching a decisive 5-0 decision.
“Ronel looked a bit overwhelmed and could have stuck to the fight plan more. This is his first trip out of the Philippines after all, but he is young, talented and willing to learn,” Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) training director Don Abnett, said. “We will put him on a stringent strength and conditioning plan to toughen him up even more.”
ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas was ecstatic at the national team’s performance in the last two major competitions.
“The future looks bright for Philippine boxing,” Vargas said. “Let’s stay focused and give our boxers the opportunities they need.”
ABAP president Ed Picson thanked the “triumvirate” which has been responsible for whatever semblance of success we have so far achieved—Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the MVP Sports Foundation.
“We express our sincerest gratitude to PSC chairman Noli Eala, POC president Bambol Tolentino and MVPSF president Al Panlilio for their faith in our athletes and their continuing support of ABAP’s programs,” Picson said.
Elias Recaido and Elmer Pamisa coached the Filipino boxers in Spain.