HANOI. – No gold medal came the way of the Philippines Thursday but more are expected when action in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games goes full blast Friday, with Pinoy athletes competing in 16 disciplines, led by back-to-back world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo.
Aside from kickboxing, where Pinoy fighters are assured of at least six more medals, badminton, 3×3 basketball, billiards and snookers, bodybuilding, chess, esports, fencing, golf, gymnastics, sepak takraw, table tennis, tennis, wushu, and indoor volleyball get going, hours after the opening ceremonies at the My Dinh National Stadium, with pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena leading the way for 31 members of Team Philippines.
Yulo, 22, who emerged as the most bemedaled Pinoy athlete in the 2019 Philippine Games, sees action in the pommel horse, rings, even bars, high bar, floor exercise and vault, where he is the reigning world champion.
Initially up for grabs is the all-around gold, with the finals of the six apparatuses spread out over two days on May 15 and 16.
Also among those plunging into action are golfing teen sensation Rianne Malixi and teammates Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson; teen tennis sensation Alex Eala who will open her campaign in the team event, along with entries in esports where the country is among the favorites and wushu, which has been a solid source of gold medals for the country in the past.
In his grand debut in the regional sports showcase at the historic Rizal Coliseum three years back, Yulo romped off with the men’s all-around and floor exercise gold medals and silvers in the pommel horse, vault, rings, parallel bars, and uneven bars.
After another round of hard training Thursday, Yulo said he is focused but refused to think ahead, stressing he is blocking out claims that he is the gymnast to beat anew.
“Hindi ko naman po iniisip ‘yun. Last time ako ang No. 1 pero nakaraan na ‘yun. Hindi ko iniisip ‘yung maraming nakatingin sa akin. Marami din naman ibang magaling. Hindi ko sinasabing ako ang pinaka-magaling dito. Kung ano ang kaya kong gawin, doon ako naka-focus,” the diminutive dynamo said.
Aside from Yulo, also expected to deliver gold medals are kick boxers Jean Claude Saclag and Gina Iniong Aras, the defending champions, along with Renalyn Dacquel, Gretel De Paz, Zeph Ngaya, and Claudine Veloso.
Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas Secretary-General Atty. Wharton Chan believes the country can surpass the 2019 SEA Games haul of three gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in this year’s regional showpiece.
“Our athletes have done a tremendous performance and exceptional job despite fighting in a hostile terrain after beating several Vietnamese athletes,” Chan said. “I predict we can be at 80 percent or 5-of-6 or maybe 4-of-6 in winning golds in tomorrow’s finals. We can surpass the three golds last time.”
