By: Romeo Braceros Jr.

Photo: Radyo Pilipinas 2

In the first round of the ongoing World Youth Boxing Championships in La Nucia, Spain, from November 14 to 26, 2022, Ronel Suyom of the Philippines knocked down Motoki Sadahiro of Japan, but he had to fight hard to win by a close 3-2 split decision and secure a bronze medal.

Suyom, a 17-year-old from Butuan City who trains with the Cagayan de Oro boxing squad, won his first-ever medal in this event.

After five other Filipino boxers dropped out of the competition, he is the last one standing.

The competition was held under the supervision of the IBA, the world's governing body for amateur boxing, and was open to boxers born in 2004 and 2005. 

It was the fourth time in the tournament's history that men and women have fought in the same championship.