Team Philippines is partying like its 1932.
Equaling its output in the Los Angeles Olympiad, middleweight boxer Eumir Marcial wins Team Philippines’ third medal in a single Olympiad, knocking out Armenian fighter Arman Darchinyan in the 2:11 mark of the first round Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
A massive right hook off a three-punch combo hit the jugular of Darchinyan’s head—the area beneath the ears and the end of the jawline—that knocked the Armenian out.
Earlier, Marcial scored a standing eight-count after a flurry of punches landed on Darchinyan’s defenseless head.
The win against Darchinyan assured the Philippines at least a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympiad.
Interestingly, it was the second known Filipino win against a Darchinyan. In 2007 and 2013, Nonito Donaire defeated Arman’s uncle Vic Darchinyan via knockout in world championship bouts in professional boxing.
The Philippines now stands with three medals, with five more athletes trying to surpass the Los Angeles mark.
Next week, gymnast Carlos Yulo will enter the vault apparatus finals; EJ Obiena will try to beat 13 fellow pole vaulters for the gold; runner Kristina Knott will compete in the 200 m. sprint; and Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan will aim to conquer the world stage in women’s golf.
Also today, golfer Juvic Pagunsan has concluded his Olympic campaign with a final round score of one-under par (70). He currently stands at solo 55th place in a field of 60 with an aggregate of 66-73-76-70 for one-over par.
Men’s golf is expected to have a wire-to-wire finish with USA’s Xander Schaufelle (18-under par) currently holding a precarious one-stroke lead over Slovakia’s Rory Sabattini.
Photo from ph.olympicteam Instagram
