MANILA, Philippines - Teener Jayson Valdez gets the chance to slug it out with the top guns in this week’s SEA Games in Indonesia, upbeat over his chances in his maiden stint in the biennial meet firing off Friday in Palembang.
The 16-year-old Valdez, son of former SEAG three gold medal winner Julius, knows what it takes to buck the odds and the pressure of competing against much older and fancied rivals.
“After the Asian Airgun Championships in Kuwait, I already trained daily to correct some minor flaws. So I’m more confident now than before, and hopefully I can improve my scores,” said Valdez. “But I have to be extra sharp and tough to win.”
But the older Valdez believes his son can rise to the challenge in his three events - 50m rifle prone, 50m rifle 3-position and 10m air rifle.
“It’s still a long way for him to at least match my achievements, but I think he can win, maybe silver or gold. I know he’s got a big chance,” said the older Valdez, former winner of three SEA Games gold medals.
Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) president Mikee Romero and multi-titled pistol shooter Tac Padilla both agreed that the youthful shooter has a chance in the SEA Games.
“It’s tough to predict but I think Jayson has pretty good chances. He’s tough and very dedicated,” said Padilla of Valdez.
Romero was more optimistic, saying Valdez has got what it takes to beat the top guns in the biennial meet.
Romero has witnessed how Valdez outgunned his SEA Games rivals during the Kuwait tournament.
Romero is also banking on Padilla and Mae Concepcion to deliver along with female shooter Inna Therese Gutierrez. Other members of the 11-man team are Carolino Gonzales, Mark Lorenz Manosca, Lovely Venus Tan, Andrea Faustman, Frances Nicole Medina, Shanin Lyn Gonzales and Clarissa Esteves.
“Watch out for this young sensation, he could be the first athlete to produce the Olympic gold medal our country has desired for so long. Jayson is full of talent and is a warrior at heart,” said the CEO and president of Harbour Centre.