Phl shooting’s past, present, future eye Asian Games target

Three generations of Filipino shooters are carrying the national flag in the men’s trap competition of the 20th Asian Games, bringing together decades of experience and the energy of a first-time competitor.

Leading the national trio is Eric Ang of Laoag City, a 2008 Beijing Olympics veteran and seven-time Asian Games competitor who continues to compete on the continental stage after decades of representing the country, together with Hagen Alexander Topacio, a five-time Asian Games veteran with extensive international experience.

Completing the team is Antonio Joseph Javines, the youngest shooter in the competition who is making his Asian Games debut in Nagoya.

For Javines, who hailed from Ilocos Norte, the competition marks his first appearance on the biggest continental stage, bringing with him the energy of a new generation of Filipino shooters.

Although representing different generations of Filipino shooters, Ang, Topacio and Javines share one objective as they take on the three-day competition starting Tuesday at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range.

Ang carries decades of experience. Topacio brings years of international competition. Javines represents the next generation of Filipino shooters.

Their campaign also carries a significant piece of Philippine shooting history.

The last time the Filipinos won an Asian Games medal in the men’s trap team event during the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, where Ang, Jethro Dionisio and Jaime Recio captured the bronze medal.

Twenty-four years later, Ang is still on the firing line. This time, he is joined by Topacio and fellow Ilocos Norte shooter Javines, creating a team that connects Philippine shooting’s past, present and future.