By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno  

MANILA (Philippines News Agency) – Irish Magno’s stint in the Tokyo Olympics women’s flyweight boxing event came to an end on Thursday after losing to Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in their Round of 16 affair at the Kokugikan Arena in the Japanese capital.

In a rematch of their 2019 Southeast Asian Games showdown here, Jitpong used her reach advantage well, keeping Magno at bay for most of the bout.

Although Magno delivered some great moments of her own, all the five judges had it 30-27 for Jitpong, who will next face Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey for an assured medal.

Cakiroglu scored a 3-2 split decision win over Tursunoy Rakhimova of Uzbekistan in their own second round affair.

Magno’s loss leaves Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial as the only Filipino boxers left in the running for the Tokyo Olympic gold.

Marcial, who had a first-round bye, began his campaign earlier Thursday with a referee-stop-contest win over Younes Nemouchi of Algeria.

Meanwhile, at the Sea Forest Waterway, rower Cris Nievarez settled for fifth place in his repechage race.

Nievarez clocked in at seven minutes and 26.05 seconds, way behind Heat 1 winner Alvaro Torres of Peru (7:02.49).

Dara Alizadeh of Bermuda took the last spot in the Division C final after finishing third at 7:11.15.

Nievarez will finish his stint in the Division D final, whose playdate is to be announced. (PNA)