By Jonas Terrado
Winning gold in front of fellow Filipinos in the 30th Southeast Asian Games could end up as a crowning glory for most athletes but there are a select few who are hoping to use the biennial meet as a stepping stone for bigger things down the road.
A man holds the medals that will be given to the winners of the 30th SEA Games Philippines where a symbol of “Layag” or sail is encrusted on to symbolize the relationship of the Philippines with its ASEAN neighbors through galleon trade since the early days of the barter system of the country. The medals were designed by filipino artist Daniel Dela Cruz. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)
While making the top of the podium finish would be fine and dandy, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo and skateboarder Margielyn Didal have bigger things in mind as they aim to give the country its first Olympic gold in Tokyo next year.
Diaz, silver medalist in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, already has momentum on her side after snatching a gold in last year’s Asian Games in Indonesia. She’ll likely face less competition in the SEAG with lifters from Thailand opting out due to a self-imposed suspension from the International Weightlifting Federation.
Yulo emerged as a gold medal hopeful in Tokyo after winning the World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany. The 19-year-old is set to compete in all seven events in the SEAG where a sweep isn’t a far-fetched idea.
Didal, 20, put skateboarding on the map when she claimed gold in the Asian Games held in Palembang. The Cebuana is still fighting for a spot in Tokyo through Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
Boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio are also setting their sights on the Olympic gold but are also eager to top their SEA Games categories.
Marcial is aiming for a third SEAG gold after topping the welterweight class in the 2015 Singapore Games and middleweight category in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition. The 24-year-old is coming off a silver medal performance in the World Championship.
The SEA Games gold has eluded world champion Petecio for years, especially in the 2013 meet in Nay Pyi Taw where she lost to Myanmar’s Nwe Ni Oo in the featherweight final. Disappointed with the judges decision, Petecio flexed her muscles in defiance.
Petecio also settled for silver in the bantamweight class in Singapore two years later.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena became the country’s first qualifier for the Tokyo Games after meeting the Olympic grade in a tournament in Italy.
But Obiena has yet to win a SEAG gold, settling for silver two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
PBA players taking part in Gilas Pilipinas for the SEA Games are a cinch to keep the gold at home, and the likes of June Mar Fajardo and Kiefer Ravena may be recalled anew for major FIBA tournaments leading up to the country’s hosting of the 2023 World Cup.
The SEAG will be a breeze for the Philippine Blu Girls, meantime, as they are regular campaigners in more competitive competitions like the World Championship. The Blu Girls recently played in an Olympic Qualifying event, so barring any major upset, that’s one more gold for Team Philippines.
Gold in the SEA Games glitter like anything, but a brighter glow beckons in the horizon. And there a select few will venture once their mission here is accomplished two weeks from now.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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