‘If we want to be the best, get the best’

NAGOYA — Amaya Paz Cojuangco says it’s not just me.

She’s grateful to the foreign coaches. She’s thankful to her family and her parents. She’s thanking World Archery Philippines.

“The WAP board, they’re really fundamental,” said Cojuangco, pointing to the rebuilding program that brought in Olympic coaches Ryu Su Jeng and Hong Sung Chil.

They had produced tons of medals for Korea and they were not easy to get. But the Philippine Sports Commission and WAP worked hard to get them.

WAP president Bing Reaport asked PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio: How can we afford?

Gregorio replied: That’s my problem. We will get corporate sponsors to share.

“If we want to be the best – get the best. That is the leadership philosophy of Chairman Pato,” said Reaport.

It worked.

“After 12 years of medal drought, the magic of an Olympic coach plus leadership of Chairman Pato brought us back to the top. Silver medal is as good as gold,” said Reaport.

For Gregorio, that’s no accident.

Cojuangco trains 10-12 hours daily, 6-7 times a week.

That’s the training regimen. That’s the Korean champion training regimen.

And Cojuangco delivered what the program promised.