Posted on June 04, 2015 05:38:00 PM
By Rey Joble and Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Reporter
Taekwondo, wushu out to deliver golds for PHL at the SEA Games
SINGAPORE -- The Philippine taekwondo contingent has consistently produced gold medals for the country in previous Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and has in fact reached the world championships and Olympic events levels.
Gian Franco Rodriguez (L) of the Philippines competes against Indonesia’s Muhammad Haerullah in their men’s individual épée round of 16 fencing match during the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore on June 3. -- AFP
But the jins will be bringing in new faces who will carry the fort in helping the country’s gold haul in the biennial meet.
Returning to action for the jins’ campaign is the men’s Poomsae team, which will welcome its latest inclusion, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., who will join mainstays brothers Dustin Jacob and Raphael Enrico Mella.
The Poomsae team won one of the four gold medals garnered by the jins in the 2013 edition of this multi-sports event in Myanmar.
The three other gold medalists -- Kristopher Robert Uy, Kristie Alora and Jade Zafra, are no longer with the team as their spots were taken over by other young, promising athletes.
Still, Philippine Taekwondo Training Director Igor Mella remains upbeat of the team’s chances and hoping that all the athletes they sent for the Games would deliver.
“I think the three times a day training have somehow helped us to become more prepared for the SEA Games,” said Mr. Mella in an interview with a local channel here.
Wushu is another combat sport that has become a rich source of gold for the Pinoys.
Daniel Parantac, gold medalist in the men’s tajiquian, will once again spearhead the wushu bets’ campaign as the team tries to outdo the three-gold haul it completed in Myanmar.
“We want 50 gold medals because it’s time we get up there,” said Cynthia Carrion, the head of the gymnastics association.
“Our expectations are good because this is the first time the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) gave them the tools. Before, they didn’t,” Ms. Carrion said.
“They gave them strengthening, conditioning exercises and they gave them nutrition.”
Also the Deputy chef de mission for the SEA Games Ms. Carrion during the sendoff expressed confidence the Philippines could attain winning 50 gold medals, owing to the important tool provided by the POC and the PSC gearing up for battles in major international events like the SEA Games.
‘BETTER-PREPARED’ PHL CONTINGENT
Meanwhile, as action picks up in Singapore a “better-prepared” Philippine contingent is all set to go to work, a local sports official said.
The Philippine campaign in the biannual sports gathering is anchored on a 472-athlete contingent who will see action in 35 events out of 36 disciplines.
“It’s all systems go. All the administrative stuff for our contingent is being taken cared of. The Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee staff are here to facilitate things for our team,” said Joey Romasanta, POC first vice-president, in a phone interview from Singapore.
Mr. Romasanta said following a “disappointing” showing in 2013 in Myanmar where the Philippines placed seventh overall with a medal haul of 29 golds, 34 silvers and 38 bronzes, by far the worst placing for the country in the history of the Games, they made sure that they are sending “battle-ready” athletes to compete.
“Conditioning-wise we are improved this year. We really put emphasis on, and invested in, strength and conditioning for our athletes, as well as on nutrition. That being said, I think we have better chances this time as we are better-prepared,” the official, who is also the president of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., said.
The added focus on conditioning and strength ran alongside the raise in allowance for athletes from $300 to $500 as well as other incentives for medals won which are all geared toward inspiring the country’s sportsmen.
Competing in more events, Mr. Romasanta said, should help our chances of winning medals but he cautioned that it does not guarantee instant success.
Asked for a medal haul prediction, Mr. Romasanta chose to be conservative, underscoring the difficulty of throwing in figures.
“If we get 35 gold medals, I think we are good,” he said.