Ring of redemption

This Filipino boxer carried a nation’s faith and expectations in his gloved hands. Under the bright lights of the London Olympics, little big man Mark Anthony Barriga walked to the boxing ring at the ExCel South Arena 2 and, in one fight, gave his country a shot at athletic redemption.

The 19-year-old, 5’2” southpaw from Panabo City, Davao, had learned the art of boxing from his two grandfathers; his father went on to coach him in his early years and even now continues to provide him counsel. He holds the distinction of being the only Filipino boxer to qualify for the London Olympics, weighing in at 49 kilograms (107.8 pounds) and thus competing in the light flyweight division. Barriga became the Philippines’ best hope for an Olympic medal after qualifying in the World Championships last year in Azerbaijan. “My dream was just to make it to the Philippine team and become one of the boxers I idolize,” the young man has said. “Now I’m in the Olympics.”

Victory at the Olympics is a desperate dream of the Philippines, which has been suffering a drought since the stirring silver-medal finish of boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr. at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Not only a drought but also the pits: At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, not a single Filipino athlete made it through the first round—a resounding defeat on all levels.

Every country who participates in the Olympics nurses boundless hope for a breakthrough victory. The Philippines, particularly, needed to do better—that is, to simply get past the first round to improve on its ignominious finish in Beijing. This time around, the Filipino athletes stepped up to the plate but fell one by one to superior competition. The most dramatic and perhaps emblematic moment was when 21-year-old weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the team’s flag bearer and competing in her second Olympics, burst into tears after failing to lift 118 kg. It was a heartbreaker, 118 kg being a cinch for her when she was in training.

Amid all the pressure, Barriga faced off with Italian pugilist Manuel Cappai. That his opponent is four inches taller did not faze our boxer. “I am the shortest in the group,” he had said in Filipino. “[Cappai] moves quick but I am ready for him.”

And indeed he was. While the Italian tried to employ reach and size to bully him in the ring, Barriga strategically found his way through his opponent’s defense with timely blows. Displaying the form that has earned him the moniker of “Little Pacman”—referencing Manny Pacquiao, the eight-time world champion from General Santos City—Barriga unleashed left shots and one combination after another, knocking down the stunned Italian in the first round that he won handily, 5-2.

With his parents anxiously watching from the stands, Barriga kept up the pressure, constantly wrong-footing the Italian on his way to winning the second round, 9-4. But it was in the third round that Barriga delivered an impressive performance, completely dominating Cappai to win by a mile, 17-7. It was an inspiring victory by a fighter who displayed no fear, only the determination to succeed.

There was a hush right before the decision was announced. When the referee raised the red-clad Barriga’s hand, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause—and the Philippines saw a ray of light shine on its dismal Olympic record. Barriga had made it through to the round of 16. With his fists and his guts, he had delivered his country from the nightmare of Beijing.

As this is being written, Barriga is preparing to take on Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov, like himself a southpaw and like Cappai four inches taller. Hopes are high for another victory—Cuban coach Raul Liranza described our boxer as “very good” and “very strong”—but whatever the result of this round, Barriga’s impressive showing in his crucial first match served to illustrate how the little guy can make a big difference. It’s an example that Filipinos can take to heart and emulate in various ways.

When the 2012 Olympics concludes with pageantry, it will not be until August 2016 that the six rings will rise again, in Rio de Janeiro. By then Barriga will only be 23, with a full sporting life ahead of him. We can still dream of the gold and remember that shining moment in London when Barriga showed how good a well-trained and -motivated Filipino athlete can be. Now if only the Philippine Olympic Committee can get its act together…