Gabuco bids for 2020 Tokyo Olympics slot

MANILA -- For four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Josie Gabuco, the best is yet to come.

Winning another SEAG gold -- her fifth in as many appearances in the biennial event -- and a crack at the Tokyo Olympics are foremost on her mind.

Despite a recent hand injury, Gabuco believes she still has what it takes to reach her dreams.

“Kaya ko pa po naman. May ibubuga pa (I can still fight),” said Gabuco in a talk with sportswriters during the 35th “Usapang Sports” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) at the National Press Club in Intramuros last Thursday (August 15).

The 32-year-old pride of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan said the continued trust and confidence of the Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines (ABAP) and her coaching staff serve as her inspiration to work harder.

“Kung sila nga naniniwala sa aking kakayahan, bakit ako hindi. Gagawin ko lang ang part ko, ginagawa nila part nila. Pag-akyat sa ring, akin na yun (If they trust my abilities, why not me. I will do my part, they are doing their part. Once I step into the ring, that’s my part),” added Gabuco, who first rose to prominence after winning gold in the 2004 National Open and earning a slot in the national team.

A gold medal winner in the light flyweight category in 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, the lovely but feisty Gabuco assured her injury will be healed in two weeks’ time and that she’ll be back at full strength before the SEA Games on November 30-December 11.

“Sa tingin ko, malaki ang tsansa uli natin sa SEA Games (I think I have another good chance in SEA Games),” added Gabuco in the weekly forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, Pagcor, Community Basketball Association and HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.

An enlisted Philippine Navy personnel, Gabuco claimed her impressive showing in Bulgaria (January), Thailand (April) and India (May) augurs well in her preparation for the SEA Games.

Asked about possibility of hanging up her gloves after 15 years in the national team, Gabuco claimed she still feels good.

“Sa totoo lang, wala pa sa isip ko ang mag-retire. After SEA Games, tuluy-tuloy pa hanggang kaya pa (Actually retirement is not yet in mind. After SEA Games, I will continue fighting while I still can,” explained Gabuco, who was a track and field athlete in Palawan when she was discovered by former boxing head and now Manila Rep. Manny Lopez.

Last April, Gabuco punched her way to the gold medal by beating Kim Hyang Mi of North Korea in the finals of the women’s light flyweight division at the Indoor Stadium of the Hua Mark Sports Complex in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Filipina also won over Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova, Bhutan’s Tandin Lhamo and Mongolia’s Balsan Mungunsaran in the semifinals.

Gabuco’s historic gold-medal triumph in the light flyweight category of the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, however, remains as her crowning glory.

Gabuco defeated Yairineth Altuve of Venezuela, 24–13; Derya Aktop ofTurkey, 27–10; Kim Klavel (Canada), 21-15; Svetlana Gnevanova of Russia, 12–7; and Xu Shiqi of China, 10–9 in the final. (PR)

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https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078110
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