FOUR Filipino kickboxing athletes made sure their medal campaign would be felt at the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games as the esteemed competition gears to its end this week.
Advancing to finals for the women’s division are the Cordilleran natives Gina Iniong and Renalyn Daquel.
Iniong bravely fought Vietnam’s Lai The Nga for the 55-kg kick light category, while Daquel cruised her way to win the fight versus Indonesia’s Lumban Gaol for the 48-kg full contact category.
Fellow Cordillerans Jerry Olsim and Jomar Balangui, who also fought fiercely yesterday, will likewise advance to finals.
Olsim bested Indonesia’s Efendi Serial for the 69kg kick light category, while Balangui won via unanimous decision versus Khem Chann of Cambodia for the 54kg low kick category.
On the competition’s third day, Olsim, Balangui and Daquel are gearing to fight for finals today.
Olsim is set to face Klinming Sarayut of Thailand, Balangui will face Vietnam’s Pham Ba Hoi, while Daquel of women’s division will be facing Nguyen Thi Hang of Vietnam.
Jean Claude Saclag is also set to face today versus Nguyen The Huong of Vietnam for the 63.5-kg low kick category in the semifinals today.
Meanwhile, Samahang Kick-boxing ng Pilipinas President, Senator Francis Tolentino lauded the athletes for fiercely cruising their way to finals despite the challenges.
“Iyan ang Pinoy, lumalaban at hindi sumusuko, napakaraming challenges at kahit ako kinabahan din pero ipinakita ng ating mga atleta na basta Pinoy lalaban. Congratulations sa inyo!,” Tolentino said.
