Phl bets share honors in Asian junior wushu

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines put on an impressive performance to share the gold medal with powerhouse China at the start of the seventh Asian Junior Wushu Championship at the Makati Coliseum yesterday.

Faith Liana Andaya, Joel Casem, Vanessa Jo Chan, Dave Degala, Johnzenth Gajo, Christian Nicholas Lapitan, Kimberly Macuha and Alieson Ken Omengan combined for 9.42 out of the possible 10 in the single event of group exhibition.

China’s Chen Xiaoli, Gao Haonan, Guo Mangjiao, Li Zhengming, Liang Biying, Wang Yawen, Yang Hongfa and Zhao Kunrun posted the same score to share the gold with the hosts.

Hong Kong’s Au Yeung Pui Yue, Chan Chung Tin Steven, Chan Ho Ki, Lau Chi Lung, Lau Tsz Hong, Lau Tsz Wing, Leung Yat Sing and Liu Yee Yin carded a 9.40 for bronze in the four-day event.

“We’re happy to win our country a gold medal,” said the 14-year-old Omengan, a Baguio City native who snared a World Junior Wushu Championship gold, in Filipino.

Omengan, also a silver medal winner in the world tilt, was gunning for her second gold in the taolu event at presstime last night.

Also part of the triumphant Phl squad is 10-year-old Andaya, who also hails from Baguio like Omengan and a silver medalist in the World Junior Championship, too.

Southeast Asian rival Malaysia, meanwhile, racked up three golds courtesy of Tammy Tan Hui Ling in the single event results of women’s elementary qiangshu, Tan Cheong Min in the single event results of women’s nandao and Ooi Say Onn in the single event results of men’s third set taijiquan.

China took its second gold courtesy of Chen Xiaoli, who topped the singles event of women’s third set taijiquan.

The other early winners were Chan Yee Lok of Hong Kong in the single event results of men’s elementary qiangshu, Yun Donghae of Korea in single event results of men’s nandao and Mok Uen Ying Juanita of Hong Kong in single event results of women’s 42 forms taijiquan.

A total of 71 gold medals are being disputed in this competition divided into three age groups – Group A for 16 to 18 years old, Group B for 14-16 and Group C for 14 years old and below.

Wushu Federation of the Philippines president Tan She Ling lauded the Filipinos for making the country proud.

“I’m very happy for the kids, the country is proud of them,” he said.