By Kristel Satumbaga
The Philippine team hopes to make an impact when kickboxing debuts in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Ali Vicoy)
Kickboxing debuts in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Saturday with the Philippine team hoping to make an impact at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Eight gold medals are at stake in the competition with the Filipinos banking on their extensive training local and abroad.
“Jittery yung mga players but we hope to hurdle the initial day,” said Samahan ng Kickboxing sa Pilipinas head Sen. Francis Tolentino.
“Yung first day talaga yung nakakatako, pero kung malusutan natin yon, tuluy-tuloy na.”
The team spent months training in Baguio and Tagaytay and had foreign exposure in Cambodia last month to level up their techniques.
The association even tapped the expertise of several boxing coaches from Team Pacquiao, two-time taekwondo Olympian Donald Geisler and mixed martial arts ace Mark Sangiao to help the squad.
Preliminary and quarterfinal matches are scheduled on Saturday, with the semifinals set on Sunday and Monday. Final matches will be on Tuesday.
Events on tap are kick light (men’s 69kg, women’s 55kg), full contact (men’s 51kg, men’s 57kg, women’s 48kg), and low kick (men’s 54kg, men’s 60kg, men’s 63.5kg).
Competing for the Nationals are Jomar Balangui, Renalyn Dacquel, Rex De Lara, Gina Iniong and Ruel Catalan.
END IT.
Attachments area
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 