Anything better than the previous performance of the Philippines in the Asian Games can be considered an achievement for the national team.
Coming off from a single gold medal in the 2014 Incheon Games, Philippine chef de mission Richard Gomez said Filipino athletes bound for the 18th edition of the continental sportsfest in Indonesia would be all out in surpassing that output.
“We know very well that the level of competition in the Asian Games is very high. It’s the second largest multisport event in the world, next to the Olympics,’’ said Gomez.
“If we can win a few gold medals then that would be a big accomplishment for the national team,’’ said the famed actor-sportsman and president of the Philippine Fencing Association.
According to Gomez, Filipino athletes from combat sports have a high probability of landing the gold, specifically jiujitsu, taekwondo, judo and boxing.
“They’re doing well based on their international exposures and training. We’ll see,’’ said Gomez.
The Philippines captured only one gold medal in 2014 courtesy of BMX rider Daniel Caluag, who will be back to defend his title during the Aug. 18-Sept. 2 Games set in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
“The wish of every (Philippine Olympic Committee) leader is to perform better than the last. We’re just hoping and praying that we will have a great performance in the coming Games,’’ said Gomez.
“It will be painful if we don’t a have gold, so anything better than one gold is definitely better than the last,’’ he added.