SEAG: KICKBOXERS HANDA NA SA AKSIYON

SASALANG na ang mga Filipino kickboxer simula sa Linggo, Mayo 8, na may misyong magwagi ng hindi bababa sa apat na gold medals sa Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Pumasa ang kickboxers sa medical examinations noong Biyernes at ikinatuwa mismo ni Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas President Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino ang strong performance ng kanyang mga atleta.

“All Filipinos are with the Philippine kickboxing team to again bring home pride to our country,” wika ni Tolentino. “More than their winning chances, their sacrifices and disciplined training are proof of the utmost traits of us Filipinos.”

Ang kickboxing ay nagbigay ng tatlong gold, dalawang silver at isang bronze medals sa Philippines 2019 SEA Games.

Dalawa sa gold medalists – Jean Claude Saclag (men’s 63.5 kgs) at Gina Iniong (women’s 60 kgs) — ay nagbabalik para idepensa ang kanilang korona sa sport na gaganapin simula sa Linggo hanggang  Mayo 13 sa Bac Ninh province, may 100 kms ang layo mula sa main hub Hanoi.

Makakasama ng defending champions sa low kick division sina Kurt Lubrica (54 kgs), Emmanuel Cantores (60 kgs), Honorio Banario (71 kgs) at Claudine Veloso (women’s 52 kgs).

Sasabak sa full contact class sina Daryl Chulipas (51 kgs), Jomar Balangui (57 kgs) and Carlos Alvarez (67 kgs) sa men’s division at Renalyn Dacquel (48 kgs), Gretel De Paz (56 kgs) at Zephania Ngaya (65 kgs) sa women’s side.

“The coaches and athletes are in high spirits, and ready and raring to go for the gold,” sabi ni team manager Roselyn Hung, na pinasalamatan ang Philippine Olympic Committee sa pamumuno ni Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at si Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez sa pagsuporta sa kanilang  pre-Games preparations sa Benguet.

Ang coaches ng koponan ay sina Mark Sangiao, Jaybe Ban Eg, Glenn Mondol, Donnie Geisler, at Randy Caluag.