NAYPYITAW—After the wushu bets raised the bar, Filipino karatekas should find a way to at least match the lofty output.
Deprived of a gold medal in 2011, the karate bets hope to turn their misfortunes around in the 27th Southeast Asian Games starting with the men’s individual kata Friday.
Orencio James Virgil delos Santos, champion in last year’s 2012 World Shoto Cup Karate Championships, is the lone kata entry for the Filipinos at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium.
“I’m confident that I can do better this time,” said Delos Santos, 23, silver medalist in the men’s team kumite and bronze performer in his pet event two years ago in Indonesia. “I was nervous back then, there’s a big difference now.”
The Filipinos should grab the opportunity to clinch as many golds the following day and catch up with wushu’s three-gold collection as eight kumite fighters vie in different weight classes.
“We’re eyeing to get more golds than wushu,” said karatedo federation president Joey Romasanta, who also sits as first vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“There would be changes in the team after the Games if we don’t achieve our target,” added Romasanta.
The original target for the karatekas is 2 to 3 gold medals after their training for almost three months in Tehran under Iranian coach Ali Panvinfar.
Ramon Antonio Franco (-55 kg), Jayson Ramil Macaalay (-60 kg), Rexor Romaquin (-67 kg), John Michael Vincent Badil (-75 kg) and Engene Stoner Dagohoy (+84 kg) are entered in the men’s kumite.
Fighting in the women’s side are Mae Soriano (-55 kg), Princess Diane Sicangco (-61 kg) and Joanna Mae Ylanan (-68 kg). The men’s and women’s team kumite are scheduled Sunday.