FILE – Jayson Valdez during the men’s 10m air rifle competition at Asaka Shooting range. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
HANGZHOU, China—Achieving glory in the 19th Asian Games would undoubtedly be an impressive feat for the country’s marksmen. However, their unwavering aspiration still remains the ultimate dream of representing the Philippines in the Paris Olympics next year.
Olympic athletes Jayson Valdez, Paul Bryan Rosario, and Eric Ang are determined to stay focused on this goal as they lead the Philippine national shooting team in their quest to end their medal drought in the continental arena.
“I will give my best performance here. It will also serve as preparation for the upcoming Olympic qualification tournaments,” stated Valdez, who already claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Cup earlier this year in Jakarta.
Valdez, a Tokyo Olympian and two-time Asian Games participant, will compete in the men’s 10m air rifle, 50m rifle 3 positions, and air rifle mixed team events.
Rosario will join Valdez in the three rifle events, while Ang, a veteran from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will compete in the men’s individual trap and team event.
“I took a six-year break, so we’ll see,” said Rosario, who previously participated in the 2012 London Olympics.
Following the conclusion of the Asian Games, the team will set their sights on five more Olympic qualifiers, starting with the Asian championships in South Korea next month.
They have four more qualification tournaments scheduled to secure a quota place in the Olympics.
“We remain hopeful and determined. As we approach the Olympics, obtaining the quota becomes easier because all the other shooters have already secured their quotas,” shared Iryne Garcia, secretary general of the Philippine National Shooting Association.
“Even if these shooters who have already qualified win in the next games, they won’t get an additional quota. It will be given to the next highest-ranked shooter,” Garcia added.
The majority of the 10-member shooting squad arrived at the Athletes Village in Hangzhou on Friday afternoon. The team includes veterans Amparo Teresa Acuna, Hagen Topacio, Joaquin Miguel Ancheta, Franchette Shayne Quiroz, along with rookies Enrique Enriquez, Carlos Carag, and Elvie Baldivino.
“This is the best of the best in Philippine shooting, so we’re expecting them to give it their all. While this event doesn’t serve as an Olympic qualifier, it will still impact their rankings in Asia,” Garcia emphasized.
It has been nearly two decades since Philippine shooting last secured an Asian Games medal. During the 2002 edition in Busan, Jethro Dionisio claimed a bronze in the men’s individual trap, and Ang also won a third-place finish in the team trap event.
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
