Swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Harold Hatch, and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe have qualified for the Paris Olympics, increasing the roster of Team Philippines to 18.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is still waiting for a letter from the International Golf Federation (IGF), which will confirm that Bianca Pagdanganan (No. 35) and Dottie Ardina (No. 55) qualified. The top 60 is the cut off for the Olympics.
“Great news, and we can even ask for more,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Tuesday. He is in Metz, France overseeing the pre-Paris training camp at La Moselle with chef de mission Jonvic Remulla.
“Each day, as the countdown to the Olympics dwindles, the morale goes higher and higher,” he added.
Sanchez, who will be returning to the Olympics this time representing the Philippines, has entered the women’s 100m freestyle while Hatch will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly.
Watanabe, on the other hand, qualified through the continental quota in the women’s -63kg event. She will be making her second Olympics appearance after Tokyo.
Tolentino said he is waiting for an official announcement from World Athletics on who will join world’s No. 2 men’s pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena in Paris. “We’re expecting more.”
The Philippines is celebrating its 100 years of participation in the Olympic Games.
“We’re chasing more history, we’re setting the ante higher,” said Tolentino, hoping to duplicate or surpass the one gold, two silver, and bronze medals achieved in Tokyo.
With 20 athletes, the country has surpassed the Tokyo Olympics where Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal.
The other Paris qualifiers are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando; boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; and gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar. (PNA)
