.jpeg)
Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam fights Kazakhstan's Makhmud Sabyrkhan in the semifinal of the men's 55kg weight class in the 2026 Asian Games, September 30, 2026 at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan. POC Media
(UPDATED) Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam has a chance to add an Asian Games gold medal to his collection.
Paalam scored a 3-2 split decision victory over Kazakhstan's Makhmud Sabyrkhan in their semifinal showdown in the men's 55kg weight class, Wednesday afternoon at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan.
It was a tremendous result for the 28-year-old Paalam, as he ended the campaign of Sabyrkhan — the 2025 world champion in the weight class.
"I'm so happy to be here," an emotional Paalam said after his win. "Sobrang pressure sa akin… Pero no distractions in the ring."
Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, used his superb counterpunching to win four of the five judges' scorecards in the opening round, but an aggressive start by Sabyrkhan in the second put the match on balance heading into the third and final frame.
Paalam would land the more significant punches in the third — enough to offset Sabyrkhan's activity.
Paalam had beaten Sabyrkhan when they first faced off in the 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, when they were fighting as bantamweights. The Filipino was quick to acknowledge that Sabyrkhan has grown by leaps and bounds since then.
"Sobrag gumaling din po. Sobrang gumaling ang laro niya," he said. "Unahan lang kami kung paano mag-counter, so nauunahan ko pa siya."
His victory means the Philippine boxing team will deliver at least a silver medal in the 2026 Asiad, even as Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas fell short of the podium in their respective divisions.
But the gold medal is the target for Paalam, and standing in his way is a home bet in Rui Yamaguchi, who defeated his Mongolian opponent Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu via unanimous decision in the other semifinal.
"Gawin ko 'yung best ko," Paalam vowed. "Step by step, gawin ko 'yung best ko."