By Nick Giongco
Tokyo Olympic qualifier Eumir Marcial admits the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has reached a terrifying level that it could end up derailing his Olympic dreams.
Eumir Marcial shows his “ticket” to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Bata pa lang ako ito na ang pangarap ko,” Marcial told the Manila Bulletin from his home in Imus, Cavite.
Marcial earned a ticket to Tokyo after ruling the middleweight class in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament held early this month in Amman, Jordan.
The outbreak has wrought so much havoc that talks of the July 24-Aug. 9 Games being postponed or cancelled altogether is a smouldering topic within the International Olympic Committee.
And the prospects of Tokyo totally being unable to stage the Olympics has caused Marcial sleepless nights.
“Sa akin naman naniniwala ako na matutuloy pa rin. Kahit i-postpone nila para lalo na ring makapaghanda ang lahat,” said the 24-year-old Zamboanga native.
But what if the Tokyo Olympics wounds up being scrapped?
“Huwag naman sana cancelled dahil magiging masakit sa kagaya ko na naghirap at nagsakripisyo,” he said.
Marcial arrived in Manila from Jordan on March 13 and immediately headed to Cavite to undergo quarantine.
Ed Picson, secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, has advised Marcial and another Tokyo qualifier, female fly Irish Magno, and the rest of the national team to be on ‘active rest’ mode as everyone await the fate of Tokyo.
Marcial is following orders to the letter.
“Nagsha-shadow box ako sa umaga at gumagamit ng (punch) mitts at sa hapon naman ay ‘partner play’,” Marcial said.
‘Partner play is a mock sparring session in boxing lingo, wherein only one of two sparmates are throwing punches in the air.
Despite the odds of Tokyo not pushing through, Marcial remains hopeful the tide will turn.
“Gusto ko kasi iregalo sa tatay ko ang Olympic gold habang narito pa sya,” said Marcial.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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