SEA GAMES: MUAY THAI AIMS FOR BETTER FINISH
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Sep 2013
MANILA (PNA) ? Muay thai Association of the Philippines is expecting to take home three gold medals from a tiny three-athlete contingent it is sending to the coming 27th Southeast Asian Games set this December in Myanmar.
This, MAP vice president Red Dumuk projected yesterday, saying that the performance fashioned out Philip Delarmino, Jonathan Polosan and Priscila Ocaya in a pair of international competitions they took part in the past two years, including a stint in the 2013 Asian Indoor Games early this year, more than gave the trio the experience to beat all comers in their respective divisions in the coming conclave.
Delarmino, who is competing in the 54-kilogram division, Polosan, fighting in the 63-kg. level, and Ocaya, the country?s best bet in the women?s 51-kg. category, all ended up third place in their respective classes in last year?s world championships,? Dumuk said during yesterday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
The trio, Dumuk added, represented the country in the Asian Indoor Games held middle of this year, but fell a match short of collecting a bronze medal each due to judges? decisions that turned unfavorable to them.
Wrestling Association of the Philippines secretary general Karlo Sevilla, meanwhile, reiterated that his association is pressing for its appeal for an additional seven more grapplers to the two approved by the SEA Games task force.
The task force, made up of Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco, chef de mission Jeff Tamayo, Romy Magat and Philippine Sports Commission?s Paul Ycasas had limited wrestling?s participation to Jason Balabal and Margarito Angana, the only two gold medalists in 2011.
The WAP, however, appealed the decision asking for the inclusion of Noel Norada, Josep Angana, Alvin Lobrequito, Johnny Morfe and three lady wrestlers Rosegyn Malabja, Kristine Jambira and Grace Laberones, saying their addition will strengthen the team?s campaign to win more gold medals.
Sevilla and coach Roel Pacional justified the association?s move by saying Norada, Josep Angana, Lobrequito and Morfe along with Balabal and Josep Angana, are currently in Iran enjoying a three-month training program that includes competing in tough competitions there.
?Ginagastusan na ng PSC an gaming mga atleta poara mag-train sa Iran, which is a world-power in wrestling, bakit di pa samantalahin na masama sa SEA Games,? Sevilla reasoned out.
?I?m not saying they all will win the gold medals, but I can safely say that they?re capable of accomplishing the feat,? Dumuk said of the three-athlete muaythai squad.. ?They have been preparing for this the past four years, competing in international competitions and we, in the association believe they can do the trick.?
?What I?m sure of though is we can improve on our 1-gold, three-silver and 5-bronze medal we brought home the last time muay thai was played in 2009,? he assured. ?Uuwi ang ating koponan na may perfect record of at least a medal each.?
Muay thai was not in the calendar in the 2011 edition of the biennial meet in Indonesia.
Asked who among the three is the highest hope for a gold medal,Dumuk picked Delarmino, who he said has the biggest fighting heart.
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