Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak (red) and Philippines’ Eumir Marcial fight during their men’s middleweight (69-75kg) semi-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 5, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—The family of Eumir Marcial borrowed a power cord and tapped electricity from a neighbor so they could watch him in the ring on Thursday afternoon.
It has always been this way during Marcial’s scheduled fights in the Olympics boxing middleweight as their house in Lunzuran village has no power connection.
“Zamcelco refuses to give us electricity so at night, we live in lamps and candles,” said Carmelita, Marcial’s mother.
On Thursday, Carmelita and husband Eulalio woke up early to prepare their backdoor veranda for live viewing.
“We expected relatives, neighbors, and friends to come over to watch with us,” Carmelita said.
“The thought of Eumir being in the Olympics, our prayers and dreams were answered. Bringing home a medal is already a bonus,” said Eulalio, Marcial’s 72-year-old father.
“We are here, win or lose. We are always here for him. Eumir knows that,” said Carmelita.
Marcial settled for bronze after being outgunned by Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the semifinals.
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