Published April 22, 2021, 4:12 PM
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez is upbeat of the country’s chances of winning the elusive first Olympic gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
In his column posted on the government sports agency’s Facebook page, Ramirez commended the efforts of national athletes, particularly those who earned berths to the Summer Games amid challenges brought by the pandemic.
So far, the country has seven Olympic-bound athletes in boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
“It is now, more than ever, that the collective hope of the Filipino people of finally quenching that Olympic-gold thirst will come,” Ramirez wrote.
Pinoy Olympians lag behind Joaquin M. Henson
The Philippines has made 21 appearances in the Olympics since 1924 and delivered a total of 10 medals in eight Summer Games. That means in 13 Olympics, the Philippines came home without a medal or a losing rate of 62 percent. Five of the 10 medals and four of the last five were from boxing. Athletics and swimming accounted for two bronzes each but the medals were delivered eons ago, in 1928, 1932 and 1936. The tally is two silvers and three bronzes from boxing, a silver from women’s weightlifting and two bronzes each from athletics and swimming.
The Philippines ranks second in the dubious list of countries with the most Olympic medals but no gold. Malaysia is first with 11 medals (seven silvers, four bronzes) and no gold. Countries that have already won at least a gold in the Olympics include Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Syria, Jordan, Mongolia and Fiji.
Published March 5, 2021, 3:50 PM
MB File Photo
Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Jamie Christine Lim and Junna Tsukii will lead the national team contingent that is set to leave next week for a two-month training camp in Turkey.
Lim said Friday that the training camp in Turkey is part of their preparation for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Paris, France set in June.
“Ito na yung last push for our qualifiers (This is the last push for our qualifiers),” said Lim in the weekly Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Hour @Radyo Pilipinas online sports show.
“With this it’s really leveled up because it’s for the world, it’s for the Tokyo Olympics. It’s the biggest sporting event. I know it’s going to be difficult, it’s really prestigious,” added the daughter of PBA legend Samboy Lim.
Sunday, 10 January 2021
Taekwondo, boxing and karate athletes hoping to compete at Tokyo 2020 are taking part in a three-month, bubbled training camp in the Philippines to better their chances of competing at 2020 Olympics.
Athletes are staying in a bio-secure environment at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
Kirstie Alora, who competed at Rio 2016, was invited along with fellow taekwondo players Kurt Barbosa, Arven Alcantara, Butch Morrison and Pauline Lopez.
All five want to compete at Tokyo 2020, although the nation will be limited to a maximum of four fighters.
Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary general Rocky Samson added that three sparring partners will be in attendance as well as coaches Caloy Padilla, Luis de Mesa and Al Christian de la Cruz.