The Asian Games will formally open this Saturday.
The 19th edition of the Asian Games is about to set off. With that, the excitement surrounding the international meet has reached a fever pitch and the buzz around the gold medal favorites has grown louder than ever. The Philippine delegation undoubtedly has some heavy hitters and in the eyes of many, the top prize for these favorites is there for the taking.
During the Filipino athletes’ sendoff for their trip to Hangzhou, China, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Dickie Bachmann gave a couple of names when he got asked about the country’s strongest events in the Asiad.
“EJ Obiena, pole vault. And then you have gymnastics. Even without Carlos Yulo, the other gymnasts performed well in Cambodia [ in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games]. And you also have weightlifting,” the PSC chief told Martie Bautista of News5.
Bachmann might be spot on when he mentioned pole vault. Obiena has been on a tear recently as he won a couple of championships in Europe. His hold on the world number 2 ranking is firm and tight. As for gymnastics, the PSC chairman is practically pinning his hopes on SEA Games vault gold medalist Juancho Miguel Besana, team all-around silver medalist Justine Ace de Leon, and Breanna Labadan.
Of course, Bachmann is also expecting the country to do well in weightlifting since Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz will be gunning for her second Asian Games gold medal after winning one in 2018. However, the road to gold might be tougher this time as the pride of Zamboanga is still getting used to the 59kg weight class.
The Asian Games’ opening ceremony will be held on September 23.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)
(CF)