MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hasn't won a medal at the Olympics since 1996, when light flyweight Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco took silver at the Atlanta Games.
Boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon are hoping to end that streak.
Lightweight Suarez, 27, and light flyweight Ladon, 22, are the Philippines' two boxers who will see action at the Rio Olympics, which kick off August 5 (August 6 Manila time) in Brazil.
Both boxers qualified at the 2016 Asia/Oceania qualifiers in China but have taken vastly different paths to make it to Rio. Suarez of Davao del Norte has been on the national team for over a decade, having made his debut on the world stage at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago.
The two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2014 Asian Games silver medalist fell one win short of qualifying in 2012 but is looking to make the most out of this opportunity.
"It's a blessing for me to be able to fight in the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, so I grabbed it," said Suarez.
"Then I will do my best to bring home a medal, first for The Lord, and then for the family and country."
Ladon of Negros Occidental is a quick southpaw whose 1-2 combinations earned him a bronze at the 2015 World Championships. Ladon was one of the big surprises of Asia boxing, having risen from under the shadow of 2012 Philippine Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga to capture an Olympic spot for himself.
"I feel proud and happy, of course, because I can compete in the Olympics and bring home the gold medal to the Philippines," said Ladon.
The Philippines has won a total of 9 medals, with 5 of them coming in the boxing event. The last time the Philippines won a medal in a sport other than boxing was in 1936. For these reasons, among others, these two boxers carry many of the expectations from a nation of over 100 million. – Rappler.com