GOLFER Miguel Tabuena and lifter Hidilyn Diaz are sure entries to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Team Philippines chef de mission Joey Romasanta confirmed this after attending a Delegation Registration meeting in Bangkok.
“Tabuena is a sure inclusion. Si Hidilyn, confirmed na din,” said Romasanta during Tuesday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Shakey’s Restaurant in Malate, Manila.
Tabuena’s Olympic ranking of no. 37 has solidified his hold on a slot to the Games.
Around 60 slots are available in golf, with one reserved to an entry from host Brazil.
The 21-year-old Tabuena is currently ranked at no. 120 in the world (different from Olympic rankings) after joining 11 tournaments since the start of the year.
Two weeks ago, Tabuena moved up in ranking after placing 18th in the Mauritius Open.
Diaz has been given a slot by the International Weightlifting Federation, through its quota place system in the women’s division.
She is now in China with Nestor Colonia and national coach Dondon Aldanete, training at the Fujian Sports Center, with the best Chinese lifters and world-class coaches.
Romasanta said they expect to have 11 Filipino qualifiers by the end of July.
Tabuena and Diaz join other sure entries, which include sprinter Eric Cray, long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang, table tennis player Ian Lariba, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora, boxers Roger Ladon and Charly Suarez.
They are waiting for the confirmation on the status of golfer Angelo Que, Colonia, swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, Roxanne Yu, Joshua Hall and Jessie Khing Lacuna, as well as boxers Mario Fernandez and Eumir Felix Marcial.
Romasanta said Que is no. 52 in the Olympic rankings. But he needs to join more tournaments to assure himself of a seat.
Que is no. 259 in the world, placing 18th in the recent Kensai Open in Japan.
On the other hand, Colonia got a bronze in the clean-and-jerk of the 56-kg category in the world championships in Houston last year, but this did not earn him a quota place.
Being fifth in the Olympic rankings, Colonia still has a chance to book a ticket to Rio de Janeiro with a strong finish in the individual qualification.
