Hergie Bacyadan knows exactly how much damage her fists can do, and she’s letting them fly at the ongoing World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.

Spain’s Dunia Martinez was the subject of such a blowout when Bacyadan completely demolished her Monday night in the women’s 75 kilo opener, leaving her two wins shy of clinching a place at the Paris Olympics.

“The coaches say I have this power and I know I can fight any boxer in my weight category,” said Bacyadan, who was called up to the national team after joining Vovinam two years ago , where she ultimately became world champion in her category.

The 29-year-old middleweight from Kalinga barely gave Martinez a chance to win, prompting the judges to unanimously score Bacyadan’s fight (30-25, 30-26, 30-27, 30 -27, 30-27) at Huamark Indoor. Stadium in the capital of Thailand.

“But beyond strength, the perfect timing of each shot is very important,” Bacyadan said.

The ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships 2022 bronze medalist should be ready to maximize her advantage over Hungary’s Veronika Nakota on Saturday. Nakota, a former junior world champion, also advanced to the round of 16 with a unanimous decision victory over Sweden’s Love Holgersson.

“Hergie’s main dish [strength] that’s her strength and she has to position her punches well,” said Philippine Boxing Alliances Association Secretary General Marcus Manalo.

Bacyadan and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) remain in contention for an Olympic berth, both trying to join early qualifiers Eumir Marcial (men’s 80kg), Nestha Petecio (women’s 57kg) and Ethereal Villegas (50 kg women). kg).

Rogen Ladon (51 kg, men) and Criztian Pitt Laurente (63.5 kg, men) were unlucky in their first fights and were eliminated.

Paalam will next face Shukur Ovezov of Turkmenistan in the round of 16.

Late last year, Bacyadan became the first Filipino world champion in vovinam, an indigenous Vietnamese combat sport. INQ