Cebu opens RP’s gold medal bid

Karatedo and dancesport, two of the six events that will be contested in Cebu, will kick-off the Philippines’ gold medal hunt in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games set Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Action in karatedo will blast off Nov. 27 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, while dancesport, which will make its maiden appearance in the biennial sports conclave, will be competed on the same day at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino grand ballroom.

Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) chief coordinator and tournament director Joe Ramos is brimming with confidence the Filipino karatekas can propel the country to a good start in the 11-nation athletic meet given their vast experience from the various international tilts.

"Our athletes have been used to start the ball rolling for the Philippines since karatedo is traditionally one of earliest events that will be competed in the SEA Games. Yung ating top bets mga beterano na so I’m confident they can cope up with the pressure and give our country a good start," said Ramos.

Ramos said out of the total 18 golds up for grabs in karatedo, they are targeting to contribute at least seven golds to RP’s treasure vault.

"I have a very high confidence on their five-month training in Italy so I think the seven golds we predicted are attainable," said Ramos.

Ramos named 2004 Athens Olympian and two-time SEAG gold medalist Gretchen Malalad and Chirley Tugtay as among the country’s top prospects to dominate their respective divisions. The two will join forces with Cebuana Lutche Metante in the women’s team event.

Ramos though expects a tough competition considering that the defending champion Vietnam is sending more athletes than the Philippines, which only has 26 bets.

"We’re really expecting a tough competition kasi mas marami pa ang athletes nang defending champion Vietnamkaysa sa atin. Overall, pangatlo lang tayo may pinakaraming athletes sa karatedo behind Vietnam and Malaysia," said Ramos.

On the other hand, CebuSoc chairman Jonathan L. Guardo is optimistic RP will sweep the two gold medals at stake in the dancesport tilt via the standard and latin categories.

Team Cebu City-Dancesport head coach Loloi Rendon, a multi-awarded dance athlete during his prime, backed up Guardo’s theory of a clean sweep by the Pinoy dancesporters.

"I think we have a very good chance of winning the golds because the competition is only within the Southeast Asian region. Our toughest competitor would be Thailand because they’re sending their athletes for training in Europe," said Rendon.