Gold or nothing! Don't expect less from these athletes.
The 32nd Southeast Asian Games is here and just like last year, Gilas Pilipinas had a rough time preparing for the meet. The country's basketball-obsessed habitants though are still confident that the Philippine "Redeem Team" will reclaim the gold. Right? Right???
Okay. Pretend to forget Gilas' woes and focus on the good news. There are tons of Filipino athletes flying to Cambodia to collect gold. Yes, not compete for gold. They're going to collect them with ease (no pressure, though!).
Here are 10 of the Philippines' SEA Games gold medal bets in the upcoming games.
Elreen Ando - Weightlifting
With Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz skipping this year's SEA Games, the next ones in line for Philippine weightlifting will show their wares in the meet. And 24-year-old Elreen Ando is set to take the mantle and prove her worth as she eyes a first SEA Games gold.
Ando won back-to-back silvers in the 64 kg division of the 2019 and 2021 editions. This year, she moved down to the 59 kg event. With her experience from the Tokyo Olympics and the motivation to prove that she is indeed the next weightlifting queen, expect Ando to mark her rise with the top finish in this year's SEA Games.
Carlo Biado - Billiards
Former world and US Open champion Carlo Biado will enter this year's tournament as a defending champion, and he wouldn't want to let that go.
Biado has three SEA Games gold under his name and he has a chance to add another medal.
Chloe Isleta - Swimming
After making history as the first Filipina swimmer to win gold in the biennial meet last year, Chloe Isleta will want to keep the streak alive in the upcoming SEA Games.
Another top finish in Cambodia will be a good step towards her ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kristina Knott - Athletics
Kristina Knott introduced herself in the 2019 SEA Games with two gold medals here in the Philippines. However, she missed the last edition due to an injury. So, expect the current 100m and 200m national record holder to enter this year's competition with a vengeance. KK is here to reclaim her golds, and to get some more.
Jamie Lim - Karate
Just like Knott, Jamie Lim won her first SEA Games gold in 2019. She, however, lost that and settled for bronze last year.
Expect the daughter of PBA legend Samboy Lim to reclaim her title this year.
EJ Obiena - Pole vault
Asian record holder. SEA Games record holder. World no. 3. World Athletics Championships bronze medalist. Asian Athletics 2019 champion. Two-time defending SEA Games gold medalist.
EJ Obiena, 'nuff said!
Meggie Ochoa - Jiu-jitsu
Three-time world champion Meggie Ochoa says 2023 is going to be a crucial year in her career, and she has made good strides so far. The two-time SEA Games gold medalist, who has also been devoting her time to advocate for children's rights and protection, is poised to defend her crown.
Nesthy Petecio - Boxing
Nesthy Petecio has plenty of motivation heading into the 2023 SEA Games. After winning gold in 2019, and silver in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she settled for bronze in the previous SEA Games in Vietnam after moving to the lightweight division from featherweight.
Petecio will want to reclaim that gold medal as a gauge for another Olympic drive.
Agatha Wong - Wushu
Wushu has been part of Agatha Wong's life for two-thirds of her life. Having trained for wushu since the age of 8, the 24-year-old athlete will aim for a three-peat in the taijijian event and will also try to reclaim her title in the taijiquan format.
Carlos Yulo - Gymnastics
Due to the limitations set by host nation Cambodia, Carlos Yulo will only be allowed to play in four events (team, individual all-around, parallel bars, and the high bar). List those four gold medals already.
(GM)