Philippine sports executives during the Asian Games sendoff on Monday at PICC. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—EJ Obiena and Margielyn Didal will serve as the the flag bearers for the Philippines in the upcoming 19th Asian Games at Hangzhou, China which opens on September 23.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced the during the Team Philippines’ send-off on Monday at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay on Monday.
“The flag bearer of the Philippine delegation for females is Margielyn Didal who got gold in the last Asian Games. For the male, multi-medalist EJ Obiena,” he said.
Didal made history for the Philippines in the Asian Games skateboarding event in 2018 when she won the gold,
She also reaped two medals in the 2019 edition of the Southeast Asian Games on home soil.
FILE–Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)
Obiena, meanwhile, finished just seventh in pole vaulting in the 2018 Asian Games but he has since shown his world-class prowess since then, even qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
This time, Obiena is now the world No. 3 in pole vault and a heavy favorite for the gold in the continental meet. He is also the first athlete to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
On Monday (PH time), Obiena won the silver in the Wanda Diamond League final behind world-record holder Armanda “Mondo” Duplantis.
Both Didal and Obiena were not in attendance at Monday’s sendoff ceremony.
Sen. Bong Go, who was present in the proceedings, wished Didal, Obiena and all the other Philippine delegates good luck before they fly to Hangzhou in a few days.
“This momentous occasion is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our athletes, their coaches and everyone in their journey towards greatness. We couldn’t be prouder.”