Poomsae artists to break ice for Philippines Asiad team

JAKARTA – Team Phl parades today its highly touted poomsae artists, all determined to churn out shining performances and hopefully open the floodgate of victories big and small for Filipino bets in the 2018 Asian Games here and over in Palembang in South Sumatra.

Hitting pay dirt in the regional level and even in the world stage, the Phl poomsae artists look to do the same at the Jakarta Convention Center, hoping to deliver the first medal or even a slew of medals for the 272-strong Phl contingent in the 18th Asiad.

Four of the 20 gold medals disputed today are staked in poomsae which is being introduced in this regional sports conclave that showcases many sports not played in the Olympics.

Dustin Jacob Mella, Joerdan Dominguez and Rodolfo Reyes Jr. compose the men’s team while Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Rinna Babanto and Janna Dominguez Oliva make up the women’s trio in this event where participants are judged for the power, accuracy and synchronicity of their performance.

The top two bets from the Phl men’s and women’s sides also vie in the individual competition and, through these artists, the Phl contingent hopes the country would have its spot in the medal board by midafternoon.

Shooting, fencing, swimming, taekwondo, wrestling and wushu are sports disciplines playing elimination round all the way to the finals in some events on the first day of hostilities after the opening ceremonies.

Other Filipino athletes seeing action in events that offer medals in the day are swimmer Roxanne Yu and wrestler Alvin Lobrequito even as the Blu Girls, the Phl volleybelles and trap shooter Hagen Alexander Topacio start their respective quests.