Gymnasts target four gold medals

KUALA LUMPUR – The 17-man Phl gymnastics team eyes no less than four gold medals when hostilities in the 29th Southeast Asian Games begins Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here.

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) secretary-general Bettina Pou said the squad is composed of eight women in rhythmic, four women in artistic, and five men in the artistic events, who are all upbeat of their chances against the best in the region.

Pou has also expressed confidence that Singapore SEA Games double gold medalist Reyland Capellan will again dominate both the floor and vault events in artistic competition starting Sunday at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition.

“He (Capellan) is doing very good and in fact improving from the SEA Games success in Singapore,” said Pou.

Pou also said the one-month training in Japan for the artistic team at least boosted their confidence and improve their chances in the biennial meet.

Other expected to deliver for Team Phl is Fil-Am Kaitlen de Guzman, daughter of former SEA Games gold medalist Tammy de Guzman, now based in the US.

De Guzman is tipped to dominate in the floor exercise event.