A Boxing Gold in 2016?

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The road to the country?s first ever Olympic gold medal is still in place and, in fact, has been re-strengthened.

This, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines executive director Ed Picson assured even as he added the thrust of his ABAP now is concentrated on developing and improving the skills of the new found talents culled from an ambitious grass root development program.

?It?s still in place,? Picson declared during a phone patch interview on Thursday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan on Air over DZAR radio.? ?We have actually started preparations for this year?s Asian Games, which, like the recent Southeast Asian Games, is part of our thrust on the way to the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

?Since our boxers in the national training pool arrived from their Christmas vacation, nagsimula na ang preparasyon dito sa ABAP gym inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and in the Baguio training center,? the television broadcaster cum boxing official said.

?All members of the pool, including our national boxers who saw action and won medals in the last Myanmar SEA Games are accounted for and working under the supervision of the national coaches,? he added. ?Our coaches and myself have been conducting regular meetings to map out training strategies which we will be recommending to the ABAP board.

?Maliwanag naman ang marching orders sa amin ni chairman MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and president Ricky Vargas, continue working until we realize what we are in ABAP for ? win our first gold medal in the Olympics,? Picson said.

Picson said ABAP might be sending five to six fighters to Inchon, South Korea, site of this year?s Asian Games with the nucleus of the SEA Games, who, incidentally had brought home a medal each, including three gold medals, four silver and three bronze medals.

Those who returned home with a gold medal each are Josie Gabuco in the women?s 45-48 kgs division, Olympian London Mark Anthony Barriga (46-49 kgs.) and Mario Fernandez (56 kgs.).

Rounding out the 100 percent performers are Junel Cantancio (60 kgs.), Dennis Galvan (64 kgs.) and Wilfredo Lopez (75 kg.), all bronze medalists; and Maricris Igam (women?s 51 kgs.), Irish Magno (women?s 54 kgs.) and Rey Saludar 52 kgs.).

Picson said, traditionally, has been competing in all international commitments in the lighter weight divisions, but this time, plan is to convert Lopez, who welterweight, to middleweight.

There is no qualifying competition for the Asiad, but Picson said members of the national team will be boxing off among themselves and those who did not make it to the SEA Games to ensure the formation of the best and stronger team to Inchon.

To strengthen the national coaching pool, Picson said former internationalists Harry Tanamor and Joan Tipon have been added to the list to help shape up the national squad.