6 PH archers vie for London Olympics slots

PHILIPPINE chef de mission Manny Lopez is crossing his fingers that another archer would make it to the London Olympics next month.

A six-man archery team began its campaign in the 7th WAF (World Archery Federation) World Cup yesterday in Ogden City, Utah, in a bid to qualify and increase the size of the Philippine contingent to London.

Beijing Olympian Mark Javier is the main hopeful among the Filipinos, who are seeking Olympic slots along with 395 archers from 66 countries.

According to the WAF website, only the individual gold medalists and top three finishers in the team event of the men’s and women’s recurve will book tickets to London.

Joining Javier were Rachelle Anne Cabral, Edwina Delos Reyes, Stephanie Azarias, Paul Marton Dela Cruz and Fil-Am Raymond Paguia.

“We can only hope that they perform well in the tournament and earn spots in the Olympics,” said Lopez.

Of the nine Olympic qualifiers so far, officials are hoping that judoka Tomohiko Hoshina, BMX rider Daniel Caluag and lifter Hidilyn Diaz would break the long medal drought for the country in the Olympics.

The Philippines hasn’t won a medal since 1996, when boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco brought home a silver from the Atlanta Games.

Long jumper Marestella Torres, steeplechaser Rene Herrera, skeet shooter Brian Rosario, boxer Mark Anthony Barriga and swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna are the other Filipino Olympians.