Bermudez leads PH bid in world wakeboard tilt

SOUTHEAST Asian Games medalist Samantha Bermudez banners the Philippines’ bid in the 2012 Cable Wakeboard World Championship slated Nov. 6 to 11 at Deca Wakeboard Park in Clark Field, Pampanga.

“We all know the country is fairly new to the sport, but our progression is fast and we have good riders who can really perform,” said Bermudez, 2011 SEA Games wakeboard bronze medalist.

Australia’s Angelika Schriber and Germany’s Dominik Guhrs lead more than 300 wakeboarders and wakeskaters from 30 countries vying for the world title.

“We’re hosting [the competition] for the first time and we have the top riders from around the world,” JV Borromeo, president of the Wakeboard and Waterski Association of the Philippines, said in a press conference Thursday at Milky Way Café in Makati City.

Also favored are Germany’s Steffen Vollert and Frederic von Osten, Britain’s Nick Davies and Israel’s Lior Sofer.

“This is our first worlds and we haven’t seen the competition,” said Moe Gomez, who also topped the local qualifiers.

Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Steve Hontiveros said International Olympic Committee representatives will be observing the event since the sport has been shortlisted for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics.