By RAMON BONILLA
CHENGDU, China — Agatha Wong was barely in her adolescent years when she learned about wushu. With much bravado when she leans, or sways, or leaps with the flick of her sword, everything is just intimidating when she performs on the carpet.
The piercing look and her mastery of craft honed for years should make Wong one of the best medal hopes for the country when she gets her first crack at World Games glory on Friday, Aug. 8, Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium here.
Vying in the combined women’s taolu taijijian event, Wong competes in the qualification round at 10:15 a.m. and the finals later in the evening at 7:50 p.m.
The 27-year-old Wong boasts two World Championship silvers and five Southeast Asian Games gold medals, making her one of the favorites to land at the podium and a marked rival for Singapore’s Zeanne Law, Malaysia’s Sy Xuan Chin, and Ukraine’s Oryna Ivanova.
“I did all the work, the training, and as long as I do my best in my event I think I am going to be okay,” Wong said.
Competing at 8:30 p.m. in combined men’s taolu taijijian is Benguet pride Jones Llabres Inso, who, likewise, targets a seat in the finals set Saturday.
With all the athletes, backed by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, surely in a state of euphoria following Thursday night’s opening ceremonies at the Tianfu International Convention Center, more are eager to become champions themselves and come back home as sports heroes.
It is likely the same spirit that will drive cable wakeboard bet Raph Trinidad and wake surf contender Eric Ordonez as they try to impress the judges and claim tickets in the medal round when they execute their routines starting at 11 a.m. over at the Sancha Lake Arena.
Rudzma Abubakar, the lone muay thai participant well-supported by the Chef de Mission himself, Stephen Arapoc, goes into action in the women’s 48kg division at the Sichuan Gymnasium at 1 p.m.
“I really prepared well for this,” said Abubakar, whose campaign is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. “They just reminded me to believe in myself.”
Earlier in the day, the men’s floorball team absorbed a 12-2 loss against Latvia in their group stage battle at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre.
Melvin Mendoza and Simon Larano tried to carry the fight for the Filipinos who were visibly outhustled by the taller and more physical Latvians.
All is not lost for the Nationals as they try to bounce back against Sweden on Saturday and Switzerland the following day.
