Asian wushu jrs under way

MANILA, Philippines - Group competitions in taolu (routine exercises) kick off the four-day seventh Asian Junior Wushu Championship at the Makati Coliseum this morning at nine o’clock.

Last year’s World Junior Wushu Championship gold and silver medalist Alieson Ken Omengan, silver medalist Faith Liana Andaya spearhead the eight-strong Philippine challenge in the new event where maximum of 10 athletes perform various choreographed movements.

Rounding out the local squad are Kimberly Macuha, Johnzenth Gajo, Christian Nicholas Lapitan, Vanessa Jo Chan, Joel Casem and Dave Degala.

Philippine Wushu Ambassador actress-athlete Bea Binene will be at hand to inspire our bets.

In the afternoon session (2:30-6 p.m.) of  the championship sponsored by PSC, POC, Department of Tourism, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Standard Insurance, Canon cameras, MVP Sports Foundation, Arrow shirts, Summit water and Burlington socks, Vivine Wally (48kg) and Vita Zamora (52kg) open their medal quest in the sanda (combat) competition.

The men’s side sees in action Thommy Aligaga (52kg), Clemente Tabugara Jr. (56kg) and James Daquil (60kg).

DZSR Sports Radio will do live coverage and Solar Sports will broadcast a special on the highlights of the competition on delayed basis. Business Mirror, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Star Online, Pilipino Mirror, and Manila Bulletin are media partners with Focus Media as LCD advertising partner and Xitrix Computer Corp. technical partner.

Facebook.com/7thAsianJuniorWushu2013 carries live streaming of the proceedings that run up to 10:30 p.m.