Fajardo fails to duplicate feat after loss to Chinese foe
HANGZHOU – Another member of the Philippine boxing team fell by the wayside on Wednesday in the 19th Asian Games.
Mark Ashley Fajardo was outclassed by Chinese Wang Xiangyang, 5-0, to advance in the Round of 16 of the men’s 63.5 kg at the Hangzhou gymnasium.
The lopsided loss suffered by the Cebuano bet was in stark contrast to his impressive first round knockout win against Wangdi Dorji of Bhutan during his debut fight in the Asiad.
Fajardo now joins Olympian Irish Magno, Aira Villegas, and Aaron Jude Bado as among the early casualties of the 10-man boxing team.
Still fighting as of press time is men’s heavyweight John Marvin against Nepal’s Rabin.
On Thursday, two of the last three Filipino boxers in Riza Pasuit and Marjon Pianar made their respective debuts in the continental showpiece.
Pasuit will have her hands full against Somnuek Thanaya of Thailand in the women’s 60 kg class, while Pianar, who drew an early bye, takes on Muydinkhujaev Asadkhuja of Uzbekistan in the men’s 71 kg class.
Olympic silver medal winner Nesthy Petecio climbs the ring for the first time on Friday against top see Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei.
