This is my time to bounce back from my past experience in the Asian Games.

ARIES Toledo wants to bounce back from a forgettable performance in the Asian Games.

If gaining glory in a single track and field event is already difficult, what more if you will aim mastery on 10 events, especially in a tournament as massive as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Sure, it’s tough, but decathlete Aries Toledo knew what he signed up for.

The 26-year-old pride of Nueva Ecija shook Philippine athletics to its very foundation when he came out of nowhere to win the gold medal in men’s decathlon event of the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2019.

Although he came up with a strong run in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta last year, he bombed out of contention after suffering a dislocated shoulder following a scary fall in the pole vault event.

And while he was rubbing off the pain on his shoulder, a grand plan crossed his mind – gun for redemption in front of his countrymen in the 30th SEA Games.

“It was really disappointing. I was already in a good position and very hopeful to on a show but the injury happened,” said Toledo, who was the track star at Central Luzon State University when he tried his luck with the national team.

But the road to SEA Games glory will not be easy.

Sure, he is the reigning champion, but athletes like Suttisak Singkon of Thailand and Bui Van Su of Vietnam are tipped to go all out to knock the crown off his head.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico said they are eyeing six gold medals from standouts like Nathalie Uy and EJ Obiena in pole vault, Eric Cray in the men’s 400-meter hurdles, Carter Lily in the men’s 800-meter run, William Morisson in men’s shotput and Kristina Knott in the women’s 100-meter run.

“We did come up with a specific projection if you wish and our assessment right now is that we can probably win six gold medals,” said Juico, a no non-sense official after serving as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“What we want is to win more than the five gold medals we had two years ago and in 2015.”

Again, Toledo isn’t expected to win, but he’s ready to pull off another shocker.

“I can really feel the homecourt advantage,” said Toledo, who will vie in 10 events like the 100-meter run, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 400-meter run, 110-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put and 1500-meter run.

“Here, we can easily go to training because the track oval is just across our quarters. That is already a great advantage for us.”

He said he’s more than ready to compete — with or without expectations.

“I really adjusted everything about my game. I will never underestimate any of my competitors. I know that some of them really wants to take the first place,” he said.

“I want to give everything for the country. This is my time to bounce back from my past experience in the Asian Games.”

“It’s very important to have a high score on each and every event, I do not want to get any zero. Once you get a zero in a single event, that already is a huge disadvantage.”

“I have undergone a great training for SEA Games, and I will assure that no more injury will happen in the competition.”

The road to glory may be long and winding, but Toledo is more than ready to take it.

After all, there’s nothing impossible for a hungry competitor.