PSC sees rosy Asian Games campaign
HIDILYN Diaz and Carlos Yulo
Photograph courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz/FB and Red Ox Media Events
The Philippines is highly-capable of delivering five gold medals in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, according to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
In the event it happens, it will surpass the four golds won each in the 2018 Jakarta and rescheduled 2023 editions of the quadrennial sportsfest.
The Nagoya Asian Games are set 19 September until 4 October.
PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio told DAILY TRIBUNE that with the agency providing solid backup, the campaign in Nagoya can produce five top finishes.
“I’m confident that the Philippine Olympic Committee will try their best to overachieve that. And then, we’re just here — the Philippine Sports Commission is behind all the athletes and the POC to make sure that we are successful in Nagoya in 2026.”
The Philippines finished the Hangzhou Games also with two silvers and 12 bronze medals.
Victories from Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of jiu-jitsu, Ernest John Obiena of pole vault and Gilas Pilipinas were all it took for the Philippines to finish decently.
Gregorio likewise cited four more sports that could jack up the country’s medal tally in Nagoya.
“Gymnastics, weightlifting, skateboarding, jiu-jitsu — those have won before and if there’s triathlon, I’m confident,” Gregorio said.
“We’re training very hard in archery. We can spring surprises and the important thing is that the Filipino athletes must start believing that they can win the gold.”
Gregorio’s predictions aren’t out of left field.
For one, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo is expected to banner the Philippines in men’s artistic gymnastics with his younger brother Karl Eldrew looking to follow suit.
Tokyo Summer Games gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and two-time Olympian Elreen Ando will also carry the flag in women’s weightlifting as well as Ramirez who is poised to defend her gold medal in the women’s ne-waza 57-kilogram category.
The Philippines will also lean on the likes of Kim Mangrobang and Kira Ellis for the women’s triathlon while also pinning its hopes on a perennial producer in boxing.