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Philippines targets 15 bets for Tokyo Olympics
Joey Villar (Philstar.com) – January 3, 2021 – 2:33 pm
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramón Fernández was adamant in his prediction that at least 15 Filipino athletes will qualify for this year’s Tokyo Olympics, where they will have a chance to award the first gold medal. of the country there.
“I think actually, we will have more than four athletes qualifying for Tokyo, we are looking for a minimum of 15,” Fernández said during an interview on Power & Play hosted by Noli Eala over the weekend.
In addition to gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and pugs Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, the four-time PBA MVP is looking at a couple more boxers, including Nesthy Petecio, golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, as among those who will make the cut.
Also with big chances of making the cut are 2016 weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, figure skater Margielyn Didal, two or three karateka, including Junna Tsukii and Jamie Lim, one or two taekwondo jins, including Pauline Lopez.
Track-and-field Kristina Knott, Eric Cray and William Morrison, all based in the United States, are also in the hunt and in the swim, which will have at least two wild card entries.
Wrestling, canoe-kayaking, and surfing also seek out qualified athletes for the quadrennial summer games.
Of this group, the president of the PSC, William Ramirez, and Abraham Tolentino have high hopes that the country can get two golds in Tokyo.
As this unfolded, Fernandez said Olympic hopefuls in taekwondo, karate and boxing will begin their bubble training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Fernández said that the government sports financing agency has allocated 15 million pesetas only for “Calambubble” and hopes that more of this type will be produced in other sports, especially in those that are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games this year in Hanoi, Vietnam, make it happen soon.
“It’s good for three months,” Fernandez said.
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