Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were the latest to clinch their Olympic seats, joining pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxer Eumir Marcial.

(LIST: Filipino athletes who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics)

Here are athletes on track to reach Paris:

Bianca Pagdanganan (golf)

Asian Games medalist Bianca Pagdanganan is on pace for a second successive Olympic stint as 60 female golfers will qualify for Paris.

The top 15 in the world rankings, with a maximum of four athletes per country, will secure their berths, while the remaining spots will be given to the next highest-ranked golfers, with a maximum of two athletes per country, including those inside the top 15.

Ranked No. 119 in the world, the 26-year-old Pagdanganan sits at 36th place in the Olympic Golf Ranking released on March 11.

The 60 golfers who will see action in women’s golf will be finalized on June 25.

Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting)

The Philippines’ first and only Olympic champion, weightlifting star Hidilyn Diaz eyes a fifth consecutive Games appearance.

Competing at the heavier women’s 59kg division after the 55kg category she ruled in the Tokyo Games got scrapped, Diaz is currently ranked eighth in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Olympic Qualification Ranking with a total lift of 224kg.

The 10 highest-ranked weightlifters in each of the 10 weight categories – five for men and five for women – will obtain quota places for Paris.

Diaz, 33, needs to keep her position until the final Olympic ranking is released on May 24 to extend her record as the Filipino athlete with the most Olympic appearances.

Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting)

Twenty-year-old weightlifter Vanessa Sarno is ripe for a maiden Olympic stint as she occupies fifth place in the women’s 71kg division.

A former Asian champion in her weight class, Sarno lifted a total of 249kg in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar, in December as she ranks behind China’s Liao Guifang (273kg), USA’s Olivia Reeves (262kg), Ecuador’s Angie Palacios (261kg), and Romania’s Loredana Toma (256kg).

John Ceniza (weightlifting)

A veteran of the national weightlifting team, John Ceniza can make his Olympic debut in Paris as long as he retains his place in the IWF Olympic Qualification Rankings.

Ceniza, 26, sits at sixth in the men’s 61kg category with a total lift of 298kg.

Rosegie Ramos (weightlifting)

The youth movement in Philippine weightlifting thrives as 20-year-old Rosegie Ramos is also on target for a breakthrough Olympic appearance.

Ramos, a two-time Asian junior titlist, ranks ninth in the women’s 49kg with a total lift of 191kg.

Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics)

With two Filipino gymnasts already qualified for Paris, Emma Malabuyo hopes to join the party.

Malabuyo can reach the Olympics for the first time by ranking in the top two of the women’s floor exercise at the end of FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series, which consists of four legs.

Olympic points are awarded for a corresponding finish of an eligible athlete, with the top two gymnasts from each apparatus who accumulate the highest three-meet point total advancing to Paris.

Malabuyo, 21, is ranked second in floor exercise with 69 points after earning 30 points for bagging silver in Cairo, Egypt, 14 points for placing 13th in Cottbus, Germany, and 25 points for finishing fourth in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Austria’s Charlize Moerz, who is No. 1 in floor exercise with 80 points, already clinched her Paris berth.

With one last World Cup left to play in Doha, Qatar, in April, Malabuyo aims to keep her spot against Spain’s Laura Casabuena (45 points) and Turkey’s Sevgi Kayisoglu (43 points).

Levi Jung-Ruivivar (gymnastics)

Just like Malabuyo, gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar has a shot at Paris by ranking in the top two of the women’s uneven bars at the end of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series.

Going into the Doha World Cup, the 17-year-old Jung-Ruivivar is tied at fifth with Croatia’s Sara Sulekic as they both have 44 points.

New Zealand’s Georgie-Rose Brown sits on top with 50 points followed by Sweden’s Jennifer Williams (48 points), Czech Republic’s Vanesa Masova (48 points), and Sweden’s Nathalie Westlund (47 points).

Chances, though, are slim for Jung-Ruivivar considering Brown and Williams have competed in just two World Cups, meaning they can pad their leads significantly with a competent finish in Doha since only the three highest scores will be accounted for the total.

Jung-Ruivivar got 14 points for 13th place in Cairo, 12 points for 12th place in Cottbus, and 18 points for eighth place in Baku.

Kiyomi Watanabe (judo)

The prospect of a second straight Olympic stint looks promising for judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.

Based on the latest Olympic ranking by the International Judo Federation where she is ranked No. 74 in the women’s -63kg class, Watanabe is in line to nail one of the 10 continental quotas allocated for Asia across the seven weight categories for women.

Watanabe, 27, will see action in the Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey set from March 29 to 31 and in the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong set from April 20 to 23 to boost her Paris bid.

Keisei Nakano (judo)

Also in contention for an Olympic berth, according to Philippine Judo Federation president Ali Sulit, is Keisei Nakano.

The twin brother of fellow judoka Shugen, Nakano is ranked No. 118 in the men’s -73kg division going into his next seven tournaments, including the Asian Judo Championships, before the Olympic qualification window closes in June.

Kurt Barbosa, Arven Alcantara, Tachiana Mangin, Baby Jessica Canabal (taekwondo)

Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa banners the Philippine taekwondo team also composed of Arven Alcantara, Tachiana Mangin, and Baby Jessica Canabal that will take part in the World Taekwondo Asian Qualification Tournament in Tai’an, China, from March 15 to 16.

Only the top two eligible athletes from each weight category will qualify for Paris.

Barbosa (men’s -58kg) eyes a Games return after being the first Filipino to be eliminated in Tokyo, while Alcantara (men’s -68kg), Mangin (women’s -49kg), and Canabal (women’s 57kg) seek to make their Olympic debuts.

Cris Nievarez (rowing)

Another Tokyo Olympian, rower Cris Nievarez gets another crack at the Olympics.

Nievarez will compete in the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Continental Qualification Regatta to be held from April 19 to 21 in Chungju, South Korea, where the top five in the men’ single sculls event will catch the boat to Paris.

If he misses the cut in the continental qualifiers, Nievarez needs a daunting top-two finish in the World Rowing Final Qualification Regatta set to run from May 19 to 21 in Lucerne, Switzerland. – Rappler.com

So far, six Filipino standouts have qualified to fly the flag in Paris, with many more in the wings waiting for their shot at ultimate sporting glory.

The Philippines will have a lot to prove in the 2024 Olympics after a historic 2021 run in Tokyo, where living legend Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold through a masterful weightlifting display.

Additionally, the 19-strong Filipino delegation also secured the nation’s biggest medal haul ever in a single Olympics, with Diaz’s gold topping a big four-medal tally, boosted by two silvers and one bronze from boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Marcial, respectively.

Here is the updated list of athletes hoping to make more history for the Philippines in Paris, in chronological order of qualification:

EJ Obiena

First on the list is one of the Philippines’ best hopes for a 2024 Olympics medal, pole vaulting superstar EJ Obiena.

Ranked No. 2 in the world just behind reigning Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis, the 28-year-old is looking to capitalize on a monumental 2023 season highlighted by notching a new personal and Asian record 6-meter jump on June 10 and an early Paris qualification on July 3.

Carlos Yulo

Looking to prove doubters wrong after a controversial split with his old coach, artistic gymnastics phenom Carlos Yulo punched his Olympic ticket on October 1, 2023, and has continuously trained to perfect his craft just in time for Paris.

At just 24 years old, the two-time world champion, six-time Asian champion, and nine-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion is gunning for his first Olympic gold, particularly in his floor exercise pet event.

Aleah Finnegan

Prior to even stepping foot in Paris, Aleah Finnegan is already a history maker for Philippine gymnastics, as her qualification on October 3, 2023, marked the first time a Filipina gymnast qualified for the Olympics since 1964.

Only representing the Philippines for two years so far since her 2022 SEA Games debut, the 21-year-old prodigy is out to make herself a household name with a stellar Olympics debut, and perhaps, win even more hearts with her first medal.

Eumir Marcial

Another familiar face in the upcoming Olympics, boxing star Eumir Marcial is up for another round (or two, or three) with the world’s best, and is looking for a better shine to his 2021 bronze medal.

Qualified for Paris on October 4, 2023, the 28-year-old veteran makes a forced jump to the men’s 80kg class after his favored 75kg division was scrapped for the 2024 Games and is now out to prove himself and the world that he can still bring his best foot forward in the ring even in uncharted territory.

Nesthy Petecio

One of the Philippines’ best female boxers today, 31-year-old Nesthy Petecio is right in the middle of her athletic prime, and now has a golden opportunity to improve on her historic 2021 Olympic silver with a return trip to the sport’s biggest stage.

After qualifying last March 12, Petecio returns to the women’s 57kg event in Paris, where she has a chance to make more history for Filipina boxing.

Aira Villegas

Making her Olympics debut in July, Aira Villegas joins Petecio as the other Filipina boxer who will give the Philippines a much-needed extra medal chance, this time at the women’s 50kg class.

At 29 years old, the Leyte native already has significant experience under her belt to make her go toe-to-toe with other world-class sluggers and possibly snag an Olympic medal in just her first try. – Rappler.com

The two Filipina boxers secured their places in the Paris Games after emerging triumphant in their respective divisions in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Monday, March 11 (Tuesday, March 12, Manila time).

Petecio booked a return trip to the Olympics after clinching a top-two finish in the women’s 57kg category with 4-1 split decision over Turkey’s Esra Yildiz.

A Tokyo Games silver medalist, Petecio flaunted her ring savvy as she built a 20-18 lead in four of the five judges’ scorecards following the first two rounds.

Yildiz earned the nod of all five judges in the third round, but Petecio – composed from start to finish – hardly looked threatened and won with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

It was the only split decision victory for Petecio in the tournament after she won her first four bouts either via unanimous decision or stoppage.

Still, it was enough for the pride of Davao del Sur to reach the Olympics for the second straight edition and get a crack at completing her unfinished business after falling short of the gold in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Villegas survived Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova for a top-four finish in the women’s 50kg class via unanimous decision, 5-0, but not after a tight contest that saw three of the five judges settle for a tie, with the other two scoring in favor of the Filipina.

Villegas unanimously won the first two rounds, but she incurred a one-point penalty for holding as she left the comeback door ajar for Chukanova.

The Olympic ticket appeared to slip out of Villegas’ hands when she got knocked down in the third round after a right straight to the head from Chukanova, but the pride of Leyte brushed the fall off and finished the fight.

Villegas even got the nod of two judges in the third round as she sealed her spot for her Olympic debut, 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 28-28, 28-28.

According to rules set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit, in the case three or more judges have even scores, they are requested to pick a winner. Villegas won the tiebreak.

Petecio and Villegas will join fellow boxer Eumir Marcial in Paris, increasing the Philippines’ athlete roster for the Olympics to six.

Also qualified for Paris are pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

Not as fortunate as Petecio and Villegas, though, were Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Claudine Veloso, Mark Ashley Fajardo, John Marvin, Ronald Chavez Jr., Hergie Bacyadan, and Riza Pasuit.

But they can still make the Olympics through the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May. – Rappler.com

The Tokyo Games silver medalist surrendered in the second round of his last 16 bout against Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the men’s 57kg on Sunday, March 10 (Monday, March 11, Manila time).

“Unfortunately, I sustained an injury in my last match that has not fully healed, and during the course of the fight, it became apparent that continuing would risk further damage,” Paalam wrote on Facebook.

“As much as it pains me to step away from the ring in this manner, my health and well-being must always come first.”

Paalam suffered the injury when he got slammed to the canvas in the third round of his split decision victory over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla.

The pride of Bukidnon outlasted Bonilla to advance, although he looked visibly hurt after the bout.

It was a disappointing exit for Paalam considering he needed only two more wins to book a return trip to the Olympics.

But Paalam still has one shot to qualify for Paris through the second World Qualification Tournament in May in Bangkok, Thailand, where three Olympic berths are up for grabs in his division.

“Rest assured, I am focused on recovering fully so I can come back stronger and continue pursuing my passion for boxing,” Paalam said.

Filipina boxers are carrying the fight for the Philippine boxing team as Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are both a win away from a Paris spot.

Petecio, a Tokyo Games silver medalist, battles Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in the women’s 57kg semifinals, while Villegas faces Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the women’s 50kg quarterfinals on Monday. (UPDATE: Bound for Paris: Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas punch Olympic tickets) – Rappler.com

The 30-year-old, who is also known as “Ex,” finished 52nd at the World DanceSport Federation Olympic qualification event in Hong Kong in December, and 130th globally, putting paid to his chances of performing on the biggest stage of all this summer.

But after spending the last 15 years learning to breakdance, overcoming issues such as a lack of coaches, funding, and formal training, Cheung is too invested in the sport to quit.

“If I could enter the Olympics, it would be even more amazing,” said Cheung, who needs his day job to pay rent for his tiny apartment in the city’s industrial Kwai Chung district.

“To be blunt, I’m getting older. If I were to push myself like I did in previous years, I might not even be able to.”

“I’m not saying I’ll stop dancing altogether, but maybe I’ll transition to the next stage, which is teaching and nurturing the next generation.”

That next generation of talent may not get the chance to dance for Olympic gold, however. After being added to the Paris program in 2020, breaking was dropped for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

After representing Hong Kong in competitions from Brazil to Japan, Cheung said breaking needed as much exposure as possible to flourish.

“It’s important we have the opportunity for others to see it. It’s important for promoting the culture,” said Cheung, who sported tattooed arms and silver tunnel earrings.

“Competing with world class people, this is very positive. Dancing is a really positive thing, you don’t need to talk at all. It’s about communication.” – Rappler.com

Petecio moved within a win of a Paris Games berth after advancing to the women’s 57kg semifinals of the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Sunday, March 10 (Monday, March 11, Manila time).

A silver medalist in the previous Tokyo Olympics, Petecio clinched a unanimous decision victory over Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands as she zeroed in on a spot in the final, which merits a prized ticket to Paris.

Behind in the scorecards after the opening salvo, Petecio, 31, banked on her experience against her 18-year-old foe to win the last two rounds and hack out identical 29-28 marks from all the five judges.

The pride of Davao del Sur has been on a roll in Busto Arsizio, winning all of her four bouts either by unanimous decision or stoppage.

Petecio battles Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in the semifinals on Monday as she looks to join Tokyo Games bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in Paris.

Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam endured a frustrating end to his campaign after surrendering to Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 of the men’s 57kg.

Needing two more wins to qualify for Paris, Paalam – a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist – threw in the towel with less than a minute left in the second round no thanks to an apparent shoulder injury he sustained in his last bout.

Paalam suffered the injury after he got slammed to the canvas in the third round of his split-decision win over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla.

Although Paalam survived Bonilla, he looked in visible pain after the fight.

With Paalam bowing out, only two of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Italy remain in the running.

Aira Villegas also sees action on Monday against Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the women’s 50kg quarterfinals as she seeks to clinch her Olympic spot, with the top four in the division qualifying for Paris. – Rappler.com

Villegas inched closer to a prized Olympic seat as she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg division in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Sunday, March 10.

Coming off a 3-2 split decision victory over Canada’s Mckenzie Wright, Villegas earned a unanimous decision win this time in disposing of Denmark’s Sofie Rosshaug.

The top four in the women’s 50kg will punch their tickets to Paris.

While Villegas reached the next round, Rogen Ladon got shown the door as he bowed out in the last 16 of the men’s 51kg class, leaving the Philippine boxing team with only three bets who are in contention for an Olympic slot.

Ladon, who scored a rousing knockout win over Morocco’s Said Mortaji in the round of 16, fell prey to Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald via a 4-1 split decision.

The seventh Filipino boxer to exit in Busto Arsizio, Ladon – a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian – can still qualify for Paris through the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Still in the running for the Philippines are Tokyo Games silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, who aim to move within a win from a Paris berth.

Through to the quarterfinals, Petecio battles Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands in the women’s 57kg, while Paalam faces Shukur Ovezov of Turkmenistan in the last 16 of the mens’ 57kg later on Sunday. – Rappler.com

Petecio reached the next round alongside compatriots Carlo Paalam and Aira Villegas, who survived their respective first bouts for a perfect day for the Philippine boxing team.

Eyeing an Olympic return after bagging silver in the Tokyo Games, Petecio claimed another convincing victory as she toppled Germany’s Nancy Canan Tas, 5-0, in the women’s 57kg class.

The former world champion Petecio earned the nod of all the judges with scores of 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, winning all of her first three bouts either through stoppage or unanimous decision.

Petecio battles Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands next on Sunday, March 10, as she looks to inch closer to a coveted Olympic berth.

Only the finalists in the women’s 57kg will book their tickets to Paris.

Another Tokyo Games silver medalist triumphed on Friday as Paalam hacked out a 3-1 split decision win over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla in the men’s 57kg division, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27, 27-29, 28-28.

Villegas also escaped with a split decision win after nosing out Canada’s Mckenzie Wright, 3-2, in the women’s 50kg category, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 28-29.

Both through to the round of 16 after receiving first-round byes, Paalam and Villegas resume their campaigns on Sunday against Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov and Denmark’s Sofie Rosshaug, respectively.

Also seeing action on Sunday is Rogen Ladon, who guns for a quarterfinal spot in the men’s 51kg against Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald.

Six of the 10 Filipino boxers – Riza Pasuit, Hergie Bacyadan, John Marvin, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Ronald Chavez Jr., and Claudine Veloso – sent to Italy bowed out of contention. – Rappler.com

Petecio nailed a unanimous decision victory over Romania’s Maria Claudia Nechita in the women’s 57kg class, serving as a bright spot on a rather unfortunate day for the Philippine boxing team.

Opening her campaign with a first-round stoppage of Serbia’s Andela Brankovic, Petecio floored Nechita with a vicious overhand right to the head earlier in the bout before she claimed the convincing 5-0 win.

The judges scored it 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27 in favor of Petecio.

While Petecio advanced, John Marvin, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Ronald Chavez Jr., and Claudine Veloso all suffered exits as six of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Italy got eliminated.

Coming off a rousing RSC (referee stops contest) win over Iran’s Pouria Amiri the day prior, Marvin absorbed a 3-2 split decision loss to Toga’s Kevin Kuadjovi in the men’s 92kg division.

Fajardo also got the boot via a 3-2 split decision defeat, falling prey to Colombia’s Jose Manuel Viafara Fory in the men’s 63.5kg category.

Earning the nod of two judges by scores of 30-27 and 29-28, Fajardo narrowly missed a spot in the last 16 as the Colombian scraped past the Filipino with three identical 29-28 marks.

Chavez endured a first-round RSC loss to Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash in the men’s 71kg round of 32, while Veloso dropped her opening bout in the women’s 54kg after a 5-0 loss to Japan’s Mikoto Harada.

Riza Pasuit (women’s 60kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg) were the Philippines’ first two casualties.

Petecio, who needs to reach the final to punch her ticket to Paris, faces Germany’s Nancy Canan Tas next on Friday, March 8, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake.

Also set to see action on Friday are Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) and Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg) as they kick off their respective bids.

Still in the running as well is Rogen Ladon, who battles Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 of the men’s 51kg on Sunday, March 10. – Rappler.com

Ladon advanced to the third round, while Marvin emerged triumphant in his opening bout as they both clinched stoppage victories on Wednesday, March 6 (Thursday, March 7, Manila time).

An Olympian in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Ladon inched closer to a coveted Paris berth following a second-round knockout of Morocco’s Said Mortaji in the men’s 51kg class.

Ladon stamped his class in the first round as evidenced by all five judges scoring in his favor before he completely dismantled his Moroccan foe, with the fight officially ending with 1:01 minute left in the second round.

Needing a top-four finish to book a return trip to the Olympics, Ladon battles Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 on Sunday, March 10.

Meanwhile, Marvin gave Iran’s Pouria Amiri the boot after an RSC (referee stops contest) victory in the men’s 92kg category.

Estonian referee Dmitri Meliss halted the bout at the start of the second round, allowing Marvin to proceed to the next phase where he will face Togo’s Kevin Kuadjovi.

The top four boxers in the men’s 92kg division will qualify for Paris.

While five of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Busto Arsizio have won, Hergie Bacyadan joined Riza Pasuit in the list of early victims as she got eliminated in the women’s 75kg class.

Bacyadan, one of the Philippines’ four gold medalists in the recent Boxam Elite Tournament in Spain, bowed to Brazil’s Viviane Pereira via a 3-2 split decision in her maiden fight.

Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg), Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), and Claudine Veloso (women’s 54kg) open their respective campaigns on Friday, March 8. – Rappler.com