- YVES MONTECILLO
Negrense boxer Ian Clark Bautista has joined the bubble training in preparation for the qualifying round for the Tokyo Olympics.
The 20-year-old native of Barangay Payao in Binalbagan joined the bubble training last week being held at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City in Laguna.
The training is conducted by the Association of Boxing Alliance in the Philippines.
He is eyeing the bantam weight division slot (57kgs.).
Entry in the bubble training has rigid requirements, Bautista said, adding, “I had to undergo three swab tests to be allowed in the academy.”
The Philippine Sports Commission is very strict in the athletes’ observance of health protocols, Bautista told RMN DyHB-Sports.
At present, the training is focused on physical conditioning. “No sparring yet,” he said.
The training will run for two months.
Bautista won the gold medal in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore and posted two bronze medal finishes in SEAG 2017 and 2019 in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, respectively.
“I am taking my training very seriously. I want to represent Negros and the Philippines in Olympics,” Bautista reiterated. – YM
