28/09/2026
Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr. is a renowned Filipino retired amateur boxer, comedian, and actor. He is most famous for earning a silver medal in the men's light-flyweight (48 kg) category at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, the Philippines' sole medal in those Games. In June 2026, Velasco was officially recognized for his significant contributions to Philippine sports with induction into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.
Originating from a family of top athletes in Bago, Negros Occidental, Onyok followed his older brother, Roel Velasco, who secured an Olympic bronze medal in boxing in 1992.
In 1994, at the Asian Games in Hiroshima, he won gold in the light-flyweight division.
During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Velasco achieved a historic run, defeating opponents from Taiwan, Cuba, Morocco, and Spain. He advanced to the finals but lost a very controversial point-based decision to Bulgaria's Daniel Petrov. Many Filipinos and boxing experts strongly believe Velasco was robbed of the gold due to disputed scoring.