Hergie Bacyadan Clinches Olympic Spot in Boxing, Adds to Her Diverse Athletic Career

BANGKOK—Hergie Bacyadan, a Filipino athlete with a background in various martial arts, has secured her place at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. On Sunday, Bacyadan defeated Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the women’s 75 kg category by unanimous decision during the quarterfinals of the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification held in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bacyadan’s victory follows closely on the heels of fellow Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam, who qualified for the Games less than 24 hours earlier at the same event. Bacyadan, 28, from Kalinga, is notably versatile, having previously won a world championship in vovinam—a Vietnamese martial art—at the event in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2023. Her athletic career includes stints on the Philippine wushu team since 2016, a shift to boxing, and a return to martial arts before deciding to pursue boxing again to realize her Olympic aspirations.

Bacyadan will be one of 15 Filipinos competing in Paris, including boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio, who were her teammates at the Tokyo Games, and newcomer Aira Villegas. Other athletes in the team include gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, LeVi Jung-Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza; rower Joanie Delgaco; and fencer Sam Catantan.

The Paris Olympic boxing competition will feature 13 weight categories, with six for women and seven for men. The Bangkok qualifiers offered 23 female and 28 male Olympic spots, supplementing the athletes who qualified earlier in Italy.