Reporting note: this article draws on gmanetwork.com; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Split Decision Pushes Paalam into Gold Medal Bout
Philippine flyweight standout Carlo Paalam secured a place in the finals of the men's 55kg boxing tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, claiming a razor-thin 3-2 split decision over reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
The semifinal meeting between Paalam and Sabyrkhan turned into a battle of inches. Paalam relied on disciplined footwork, sharp angles, and precise counter-striking to offset Sabyrkhan's relentless forward pressure. Across three tight rounds, the Filipino found scoring lanes to the body and head, landing the cleaner punches to convince three of the five judges on the scorecards.
Chasing Gold and Ending the Drought
With the victory over Sabyrkhan, Paalam guarantees himself at least a silver medal and advances to the 55kg final. He now stands one victory away from snapping the Philippines' prolonged gold medal drought in Asian Games boxing.
Sabyrkhan, who entered the bout as one of the tournament favorites given his world championship pedigree, is eliminated from gold medal contention and will leave the tournament with a bronze medal finish.
What Lies Ahead
Paalam advances directly to the gold medal match, where he will face the winner of the opposite semifinal bracket. The Philippine delegation heads into the final with significant momentum as Paalam looks to secure the top step of the podium.