Open tryouts for 5 combat sports set

The Philippine Sports Commission will explore the gold-medal potentials of Filipino athletes from five combat sports in the forthcoming Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Aimag) in Turkmenistan.

Aimag deputy chef de mission Raymund Lee Reyes announced that the PSC and Team Philippines Aimag Task Force would hold an open tryouts among Filipino fight specialists from kickboxing, sambo, kurash, belt and traditional wrestling starting today at Harrison Plaza in Manila.

“I believe that we have a big chance to win medals from these disciplines and we can only discover the best talents available by holding tryouts,” said Reyes, also secretary general of the Philippine Karatedo Federation.

The five martial arts disciplines mentioned are not affiliated with any national sports association recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the PSC, the government arm for sports.

The fifth edition of the Aimag in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is set Sept. 17 to 27.

The Philippines aims to bring at least 150 athletes and officials in the tournament where 62 countries will participate, including 17 from Oceania led by Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re expecting a huge turnout during the qualifier tomorrow (Monday),” said Reyes, adding that the target is to win five to seven gold medals.

The country bagged one gold and two bronzes in the 2013 Aimag in South Korea.