Rosegie Ramos, a 20-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga City, Philippines, has successfully claimed her spot in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
After winning the women’s 49-kilogram Group B division and lifting 87 kg in the snatch and 103 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 190 kg, she had clearly paved her way to the biggest sports event in the world.
Along with boxers Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, Ramos is now a member of the Filipino athletes headed for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ramos – Current Ranking
Ramos is the current Asian Junior Champion in the women’s 49-kg class. To qualify for the Olympic Games, she had to maintain her current ranking in the Summer Games. With her determination and commitment, she presently ranked eighth place in the Olympic rankings after five qualifying events.
She bravely declared: “All the hard work was worth it. I’m going to Paris.”
Ramos has been working out at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and has been closely monitored by her coach, Tony Agustin.
“I’m still targeting a specific lift where I could compete with the best in the weight category. I’ve been working on it every day and hopefully achieve the goal in the Olympics,’’ said Ramos.
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao expressed his happiness towards Mexico’s Isaac Cruz, who won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title and became MP Promotions’ first-ever non-Filipino world champion.
Pacquiao declared in a statement: “So glad to see Mexican Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz rise to the occasion to become a world titleholder under our promotion.” He was amazed by the growth of the 25-year-old boxer, who first signed with MP Promotions in 2019 and went on to defeat American champion Rolly Romero to win the world title.
Pacquiao on Cruz
Cruz currently has a 26-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts. He defeated Romero with a barrage of strong blows on his way to an eight-round technical knockout victory and the WBA title. Sean Gibbons, the president of MP Promotion stated that Pacquiao and Cruz share many similarities, including their status as family guys and are dedicated and skilled boxers.
“When they met, Sir Manny said this gentleman is so humble, he is a family man, and he loves spending his time with his kids and wife. He doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t do any bad habits similar to the senators, and both of them are great persons,” said Gibbons towards Cruz.
With this, Pacquiao said Cruz the embodiment of a true hard-working warrior. His boxing skills, power and speed are honed by years of his sacrifice in training and learning.
According to Gibbons, MP Promotions has recognized the long-standing Hispanic connections between the Philippines and Mexico, particularly in the boxing world. For this reason, Pacquiao highly appreciates the capabilities of every boxer from both countries, specifically because of their bravery.
The Philippines’ Aira Villegas won bronze in the women’s 50 kg boxing tournament in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Türkiye, who advanced to the gold-medal match by unanimous decision, ended Villegas’ run at the semi-final stage.
Highlights of the match
Villegas was up against a formidable opponent in second-seeded Cakiroglu, who impressed all five judges in the opening round. The Filipina lost the first round by a short margin because she was unable to come close to her opponent, but still had a lot to fight for.
In the second round, Villegas unexpectedly knocked down her opponent, which gave her the much-needed confidence to deliver some powerful blows. Still, it wouldn’t be enough to overcome Cakiroglu or win the second round. Villegas was unable to catch up with her Turkish opponent after an evenly matched third round, where she had to make up points on the scorecard.
Villegas, who made her Olympic debut, took home a bronze medal in spite of the loss. The boxer joined gymnast Carlos Yulo, who took home two gold medals in the artistic gymnastics category, as the Philippines’ third medallist at Paris 2024.
Meanwhile, Cakiroglu, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, advanced to the women’s 50 kg gold medal match. She will compete against Wu Yu of the People’s Republic of China for the opportunity to earn Turkey’s first gold — fourth overall — medal at Paris 2024.
Manny Pacquiao, 44, is no doubt one of the best boxers in the world. With twelve major titles in eight different weight divisions, a stellar record of 62 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses, and the title of “Boxer of the Decade” from the World Boxing Council, Pacquiao remained a boxing icon despite retiring in 2021.
To add to this achievement, Pacquiao also ran for senator in the Philippines in 2015 and won the elections in 2016.
But this boxer-turned-politician has one more dream that he has yet to fulfill: winning a gold medal in the Olympics. It had always been a dream of his ever since he was young, but since he needed to financially support his family, he decided to postpone this dream and train to become a professional instead. In 1995, he finally became a pro and started to compete for world titles.
Fast forward to the future Pacquiao is now the living legend of the boxing arena
But what many didn’t know was that in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Pacquiao had the chance to fulfill his dream of being hailed as a gold medalist, as it was during this year that the International Boxing Association (IBA) lifted the restriction on professional boxers from competing in the Olympics. But having recently won a seat as a senator in his country, he opted out and focused on serving his countrymen.
This year, however, the boxing champion is more determined than ever to join the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Pacquiao’s camp contacted him on Wednesday to discuss how the eight-division world champion can qualify for the Paris Olympics.
“One hundred percent, under the right circumstances, Manny would love to compete],” Gibbons wrote in a text message. “[It has] always been a dream of his to represent the Philippines in the Olympics. He never had a chance because at 16 his family was dead broke, and he needed to go professional to help everyone.”
“Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out, saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” Tolentino said. “But the Senator can no longer vie for qualification in the Asian Games in Hangzhou next month.”, Tolentino said.
Tolentino also stated that the POC has begun discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is overseeing Olympic boxing while the International Boxing Association (IBA) is suspended, and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).
Three options were explored for Pacquiao this year, through the Asian Games, through the Universality Rule, and through the two tournaments next year.
The first option was already ruled out as the Asian Games, an Olympic qualifying event, have a 40 year-old age limit in all sports.
The next two options are then his only chances of ever joining the PH team in the Paris Olympics next year. Tolentino explained that he could either join the PH team by winning in the two tournaments that will commence in the first and second quarters of 2024 or by securing one Olympic spot (out of four spots available for men) under the Universality rule from the OIC.
Tolentino also said that the ABAP, headed by their chairman, Ricky Vargas, will be able to accommodate Pacquiao on the national team and help him in the qualification process. Pacquiao is currently weighing in at 66 kilograms, but he can choose between 63.50 kilograms and 71 kilograms for the Paris boxing program.
In a social media post, Filipino-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban triumphantly announced her qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics happening in Paris. She secured her spot by gaining the 83rd spot in the 2024 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix that took place in Washington, USA.
Her performance in the said competition allowed her to top the qualifying race for the Africa continental zone, which secured her place at the Olympics.
In her Instagram post, Esteban expressed how blessed she is to be participating in the Olympics.
She stated: “I am at a loss for words…This journey is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Today, I am in awe of His love for me and I am grateful He has carried me through. For all the 2nd chances, opened windows, miraculous feats, and generous provisions, thank you Heavenly Father.”
Esteban: A dreamer
She also declared that the Olympic stage is not just an event for her, but it symbolizes passion and discipline. Through this opportunity, Maxine wants to become an inspiration to many to continue dreaming against challenges and difficulties.
“May I inspire those who dream and have at one point almost given up, to persist amidst storms and rough waters,” she expressed.
Maxine announced that she had changed federations from the Philippines to the Ivory Coast due to “self-respect.” It was reported that she was dropped by the Philippine Fencing Association prior to her federation switch, allegedly because of her refusal to compete in the Philippine qualifiers.
Nevertheless, she offers her win and her Olympic journey to both countries that helped her in her fencing career.
“This is for Cote d’Ivoire, the country that embraced me, believed in me and supported me all the way, and for the Philippines, the country my heart will always beat proud. 🇨🇮❤️🇵🇭” she concluded her post.
For any aspiring athlete, securing a berth at the Olympics is a dream come true. So, when Nonoka Ozaki missed out on this opportunity at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, she immediately fell into despair.
On September 20th, spectators at the World Wrestling Championships 2023 saw some of the world’s best athletes compete, including Japanese wrestlers Nonoko Ozaki and compatriots Yui Susaki, Sakurai Tsugumi, and Kagami Yuka. The four of them concluded their respective bouts with gold medals, demonstrating Japan’s dominant performance on Day 5 of the event.
However, one athlete went home with a heavy heart.
Ozaki disheartened on missing out at Olympics
Ozaki, the twenty year-old female Japanese wrestler, took to the mat of the Štark Arena to show off her undeniable prowess as a grappler. Having won the gold medal last year at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships, she replicated her victory in Belgrade when she won against her competitors and defeated American Macey Kilty without conceding a point. She won with a dominant 10-0 victory.
Ozaki initially rejoiced over her victory in the 65 kg division. But her joy was swiftly eclipsed by disappointment when she learned that the weight class in which she had competed was not contested at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Following the realization that she had failed to qualify for the Olympic Games, Ozaki was observed to be in a state of emotional distress, crying and emitting a sigh of exasperation backstage.
“When I won the title, it hit me that it wasn’t an Olympic weight,” Ozaki said after the match.
In her place, Sakura Motoki secured a berth for Japan at the Paris Olympics by advancing to the 62 kg final of the same event.
“It was tough to see someone else clinch the team spot in my weight class. It was my own fault. Sports is like that. I have to accept it.”
Nonoka OZAKI 🇯🇵 won her second second consecutive world title, but will miss out on the Paris Olympic Games.
Once her teammate Sakura MOTOKI 🇯🇵 reached the 62kg finals, she earned an automatic bid to represent Japan as next year’s Olympics, leaving Ozaki on the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/0Kti866BdN
Currently, the Olympics only contest the following weight divisions for women’s wrestling: 50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, and 76 kg. Seeing Ozaki’s talents in the Stark Arena, Japan lost out on an incredibly talented wrestler that could contribute to their nation’s success in next year’s Olympics.
In the previous Summer Olympics, Japan hosted the event at the Makuhari Messe Hall and dominated the women’s wrestling category just as they did on the Serbian ground. Out of the six gold medals, they snared four gold medals.
Next year, fans are anticipating whether Japan will once again reign supreme at the wrestling competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will be held from July 26, 2024, to August 11, 2024.
