HERGIE Bacyadan became the 15th Filipino and the fifth boxer to qualify for the Paris Games after winning her quarterfinal bout in the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday.

Bacyadan defeated Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the women’s 75 kg category via unanimous decision.

The Kalinga native’s qualification came less than 24 hours after Carlo Paalam secured his return trip to the quadrennial summer Games in the same Bangkok tournament.

At 28, Bacyadan is also a world vovinam champion, having won the women’s combat 66 kg division of the Vietnamese martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2023.

She first joined the Philippine Wushu team in 2016, later transitioned to boxing, returned to martial arts, and then seized the opportunity to box again to achieve her Olympic dream.

Bacyadan and Paalam will join 13 other Filipinos in Paris, including fellow boxers, Tokyo Olympians Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio, and first-time Olympian Aira Villegas.

The PH team also includes gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, LeVi Jung-Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza; rower Joanie Delgaco; and fencer Sam Catantan.