Yape gets flag-bearing duties

NAGOYA, Japan — Fresh from delivering a surprise gold medal in mixed virtual taekwondo, Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape will serve as the flag-bearer when Team Philippines joins the parade during the closing ceremonies of the 20th Asian Games on Sunday, according to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

“He’s deserving of that honor,” said POC president Abraham Tolentino on the eve of the closing ceremony set for 5 p.m. (Manila time) also at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium.

“It will be a recognition not only for Jeus but also for taekwondo, which finally won its first Asian Games gold medal since 1994, when the sport became a medal event in the games,” Tolentino added.

Yape topped the mixed virtual taekwondo — an open gender event that combines the combat sports with virtual reality and motion-tracking technology — last Friday to highlight a best-ever 1-3-1 gold-silver-bronze haul by the Filipino jins.

He also clinched bronze in men’s individual poomsae.