Wushu experts wish: One gold medal, at least

BUSAN – One gold is what wushu team coach Samson Co promises to contribute to the Philippine campaign in the 14th Asian Games here.

"Isa, puwede," said Co, a former world wushu champion, when asked to predict how many golds his team was capable of bringing home. "But we’ll try our best to win more."

Co, who retired after winning a gold in the world championship in Malaysia nine years ago picks either Eduard Folayang or Rexel Nganhayna, who are competing in sanshou (sparring), to deliver the gold.

"This is going to be a tough tournament," noted Co. "The Chinese and Vietnamese fighters are among the best in the world."

Eleven gold medals are up for grabs in wushu, which has been a rich source of medals for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games since 1991.

Four years ago in the Bangkok Asiad, wushu bagged two silvers, one from Mark Robert Rosales, who’s back with the team, and the other from Rolly Chulhang, who has already retired.

In last year’s SEA Games in Malaysia, wushu chalked up four golds, two silvers and four bronzes.

The other wushu campaigners here are Bobby Co, Joseph Pasiwat, Marvin Sicomen, Arvin Ting, Janice Hung, May Lim and Lily So.

According to Co, Lim also has a good chance of wining a medal in the women’s taijiquan.

Rosales, Ting and Hung are vying in changquan, Co entered in taijiquan while Lily will see action in nanquan. Folayang, Nganhayna, Pasiwat and Sicomen will all bid for sanshou medals.

The team is well-prepared, having trained for more than four months in China. Back home, they worked out continuously for four to five hours from Monday to Saturday after last year’s SEAG.

The boys are in high spirit, Co said, because they get much needed support from our officials, particularly president Julian Camacho and honorary president Francis Chan.

"President Camacho and Mr. Chan are mainly responsible in hiring foreign Chinese coaches Yu Zhi Bo and Qian Yuan Ze, who have joined us here. These two have helped hone our athletes’ skills," stressed Co.

The wushu competition here is tough and tight, but the Filipinos are hopeful.