Carlo Paalam guaranteed of a medal after huge upset over Olympic champ

(CNN Philippines, August 3) — Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam became the latest Filipino athlete to secure a medal after ousting Olympic and world champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in the men’s flyweight quarterfinal Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Paalam won via split decision as he led in the judges' scorecard after a headbutt caused cuts on both fighters, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 1:44 mark of the second round. With the win, he is assured of at least a bronze medal and still has a chance to go for the gold.

Paalam joins Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial in securing a medal for the Philippine boxing team, which is in the midst of its best Olympic campaign after decades of heartbreak and disappointing exit in the Summer Games.

Following weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz's historic golden feat, the Philippines will be bringing home at least four Olympic medals — the most since the country first joined in 1924.

Paalam will face hometown bet Ryomei Tanaka in the semifinals on August 5, 1:30 p.m. (Philippine time).