First Filipino to qualify to the 2012 London Olympic

Boxer Mark Anthony Barriga represents Philippines

         A three-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Mark Anthony Barriga becomes the first Filipino to booked a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics, thanks to China's Zou Shiming. 

       The 18-year-old boxer out of Panabo City, Davao Del Norte manages salvage a slot after Zou defeated David Ayrapetyan of Russia, 15-8, to advance to the light flyweight division finals of the 2011 AIBA World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. A boxer earns a ticket to the London Olympics if he reaches the quarterfinals, or if he is a round-of-16 loser to the eventual finalists. Barriga passed the second criteria as he was defeated by Zou, 12-5, during the round-of-16 stage of the tournament. Barriga is the first Filipino to earn a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics as the Philippines hopes to send more than the 15 athletes who qualified four years ago in Beijing. Harry Tanamor, also a light flyweight like Barriga, was the lone boxer to qualify in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, having won the silver medal in the 2007 World Championships in Chicago against Zou. Meanwhile, Rey Saludar’s chance to earn a berth in the London Olympics will have to wait as his round-of-16 conqueror Rau’Shee Warren of the United States lost to Misha Aloian of Russia, 17-13, in the semifinal round of the flyweight division. Saludar was eliminated in the tournament after a 22-12 beating at the hands of Warren in the round-of-16. But Aloian scored more points in two of the three rounds to beat the American. Saludar and the other members of the Philippine boxing team can still qualify for the London Olympics in the Asian Olympic qualifying event next year.