THE WUSHU Federation of the Philippines delivered victories for the country with little fanfare last year.
Divine Wally and Arnel Mandal captured world titles, Daniel Parantac struck gold in the Southeast Asian Games and other rising stars sparkled in the Asian Youth Championships.
With its athletes’ accomplishments in 2015, the WFP emerged the hands-down choice for the prestigious National Sports Association of the Year honor to be handed out by the Philippine Sportswriters Association on its Annual Awards Night on Feb. 13 at One Esplanade in Pasay City.
Wally, the 19-year-old from Baguio, ruled the 48 kg division in the World Wushu Championships in Jakarta while the 20-year-old Mandal from Iloilo struck gold in men’s 52-kg sanda.
The duo were actually considered for the Athlete of the Year honor that will be bestowed on boxers Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie Nietes and golfer Miguel Tabuena.
Parantac delivered wushu’s lone gold in the SEA Games in Singapore after ruling the men’s optional taijiquan. The team also reigned in the Asian Junior Wushu Championship in China.