Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam secured a second trip to the Olympic Games by beating his Indian counterpart in the semifinal round of the second World Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT) in Bangkok on Saturday, June 1.

The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist defeated Sachin Siwach of India, 5-0, and earned one of the three Olympic berths in the men’s 57-kilogram class.

Paalam earlier breezed past Dominican Republic’s Feliz delos Santos, 5-0, to arrange a semifinals clash against the 5-foot-9 Siwach.

It was a vindication of sorts for the Filipino boxer, who failed his initial attempt for an Olympic slot in the first OQT, where he lost to Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov while nursing a shoulder injury.

He is the fourth Filipino boxer to compete in Paris, joining fellow Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and debutante Aira Villegas.

Another Filipino boxer, Hergie Bacyadan, remains in contention in the women’s 75-kg class. She has advanced to the quarterfinals and needs one more win to qualify for the Summer Games.

So far, 14 Filipino athletes have qualified for the Paris Games.

Aside from the boxers, also set to represent the Philippines are pole vaulter EJ Obiena; fencer Samantha Catantan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar; rower Joanie Delgaco; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno. (ABS-CBN News)