After taking home the silver medal in Tokyo, Carlo Paalam fights for the elusive boxing gold in the Paris Olympics 2024. –ART/MARLO CUETOp

Carlo Paalam has learned to love himself. It is a self-appreciation born from necessity.

“I need to idolize myself when I fight,” he said during a dinner hosted for Team Philippines to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Trust is really needed. That, and my mind. I can’t just use my heart, I have to use my mind. I’m also bringing my skills with me because [my opponents in Paris are] all tall so I’ll rely on my brain and trust in myself.”

It seems like idolizing himself has worked wonders for Paalam, who went on quite the different road compared to the one he traveled in for the Tokyo Olympics.

For one, Paalam took on the flyweight division in his 2021 run in Japan which ended with a silver medal.

Moving up

Meet Carlo Paalam, one of the five Filipino boxers competing in the Paris Olympics 2024.

For the Paris Olympics, Paalam moved up to the 57 kg, quite the transition from his 52 kg playground in the past.

The weight of switching division has been tumultuous, to say the least.

That’s why Paalam is taking on that change in measured steps.

“We’re not rushing it because all of my opponents are prepared, for sure. With us, we’re just doing our best in every match because my opponents aren’t easy.”

Paalam qualification run hasn’t been easy. His first shot at an Olympic berth was cut short after injuring his shoulder in his bout with Shukur Ovezov, which made his path to Paris a bit blurry.

“Right now, it’s feeling better because I can really move it now,” he said.

“Unlike before when it’s hard for me just to change my clothes, now, by God’s grace, I’m adjusting with the help of my PTs (physical therapists) and coaches.”

One of five

Carlo Paalam drops to his knees after being declared the unanimous decision winner over India’s Sachin Siwach for a second straight Olympics stint. —PHOTO COURTESY OF BOXING.ATHLETE365.COM

Paalam is one of five Filipino boxers who will be competing at the Paris Games. Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who won silver and bronze medals in Tokyo, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas complete the Philippine boxing team in Paris.

And he will be facing a different field in Paris.

For one, he won’t be having Galal Yafai of Great Britain, the man that defeated him for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal, in the 52 kg division, much like Nesthy Petecio who won’t have final tormentor Sena Irie in her return to the global stage.

It’s an all new ground for Paalam for Paris but if his World Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament run earlier this month where he snagged his ticket to Paris is any indication, he can hang with the best of them.

And rest assured, he can manage it.

“This [will be] a fight and I can manage it.”