Valda on track for second wrestling gold

Marcus Araneta Valda is poised to clinch his second gold medal as he convincingly beat three opponents as freestyle action shifted into high gear in the IV Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship of the Rizal Memorial.

Jimmy Angana, 2000 SEAWC double silver medallist who did not compete in the Greco-Roman, equaled Valda’s feat to assure himself of at least a silver medal.

Standing between Valda and the gilt in the championship sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Tourism, Philippine Tourism Authority, Power Bar, Philippine Olympic Committee and Tiara Oriental Hotel and supported by General Nutrition Center is Vietnam’s Ho Si Ninh, his victim in the Greco-Roman.

Angana has only to hurdle Pahn Duc Thang of Vietnam to improve on his record two years ago in Bangkok.

In the 2000 SEAWC, the team Philippines brought home two gold medals from the Freestyle events, courtesy of Marciano Basas and Francis Villanueva who is slated to compete at the tail end of the day’s schedule. Vietnam grabbed six of the eight.

Basas’ hopes of claiming a gold this time is dim. He dropped his match against Pham Thanh Quyet of Vietnam.

Team Philippines has already surpassed its three-gold, eight-silver and one-bronze medals output in the last edition of SEAWC.

As of presstime, female wrestlers were competing.

The six-nation conclave ends this afternoon. Competition starts at 9 a.m. Admission is free.