Archers train sights on YOG medals

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco has high hopes on the pair of Filipino archers who will see action in the second Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

“Our archers are getting a lot of exposure and experience,” said Cojuangco yesterday as he looked forward to the YOG which is scheduled Aug. 16 to 28.

“I have always considered archery to provide the better chances for us in the Olympics,” said Cojuangco just days after the Philippine archery team won the bronze in the tough Seoul Archery International Fiesta.

Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco powered the team past Mexico in the battle for the bronze medal. Also in the fold were Palarong Pambansa titlist Mary Queen Ybanez, Philippine National Games champion Crizabelle Merto and Kareen Hongitan.

Gotuaco, who also bagged the gold in the recent US National Target Championships in Ohio, will compete in Nanjing together with fellow archer Luis Gabriel Moreno, artistic gymnast Ava Lorein Verdeflor, triathlete Victorija Evania Deldio, athletics’ Zion Rose Nelson, swimmer Roxanne Yu and shooter Celdon Jude Arellano.

Multi-titled shooter Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla said Arellano is capable of pulling off a surprise in Nanjing where athletes from close to 200 nations, all aged 14 to 18 years, will vie in 28 sports disciplines.

Cojuangco will travel to Nanjing along with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia to watch the seven Filipino athletes in action.

Chef-de-mission Jonne Go left for Nanjing last Sunday with POC liaison officer Liza Ner to make sure the athletes get the proper welcome when fly in tomorrow evening.

While Cojuangco said the young Filipino athletes trained hard for the YOG, it’s very difficult to predict their medal chances.

“I have no idea of the opposition,” said Cojuangco.

The chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation said the YOG is for the young athletes and therefore it’s not that easy to know the opposition.

“It’s very hard to tell because these are first-timers in the YOG. And most of these athletes will get to know each other during the competition itself,” said Go, president of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and POC board member.