The Philippines’ lone entry in the boxing competition, light flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga, lost to Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan by one point.
Barriga gave it his all against the much taller Kazakh, who used his size advantage to push, hold and grapple with the Filipino. Barriga trailed 5-4 after the opening round but held a two point lead, 8-10, going into the third and final round.
In a series of madcap sequences involving pushing, holding and other extra curricular activities by the two southpaws, Barriga was deducted twice and Zhakypov once. The two point deduction cost the the Filipino the fight.
The final score was 17-16 and the Kazakh fighter escaped with a point for the second straight fight. Zhakypov will face defending champion Zou Shiming of China, who beat Yosbany Veitia of Cuba 14-11.
Once again, the Philippines made a tragic exit in boxing. The last medal we won was the 1996 silver medal of Onyok Velasco, also in the lt.flyweight division.
