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By Emil Noguera, Correspondent
The Philippine Amateur Fencing Association is
working to send at least one wild card entry in the 2008 Olympic
Games in Beijing, China, on August 8 to 24.
PAFA president Celso Dayrit named Manila
Southeast Asian Games champion Walbert Mendoza as a possible
representative of the country in Beijing citing his notable finish
in some major tournaments recently.
“We considered him [Mendoza] because of his
impressive track record. He is also one of the best performing Asian
in world competition. We are hoping that he can get a slot in the
Beijing Games,” said the former chief of the Philippine Olympic
Committee.
Mendoza placed eighth in men’s saber event in
the Asian Olympic qualifying event on April 22 to 23 then ranked
11th in the Asian Fencing Championships on April 24 to 29 both held
in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Maganda ang pinakita niya sa mga nakalipas na
kumpetisyon. We are still hoping that he can get a wild card ticket
the Olympics,” added Dayrit, who is also the chief of the Asian
Fencing Confederation.
So far, only two Filipino fencers have made it
in the Olympics in Percival Algre in the men’s saber during the
1988 Olympics and Walter Torres in the men’s foil event in the
1992 edition.
Already qualified in the Beijing Games are
swimmers Miguel Molina, Daniel Coakley, James Walsh, Ryan Arabejo
and Christel Simms; tae kwon do jins Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero;
divers Sheila Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga; boxer Harry Tañamor;
archer Mark Javier and shooter Eric Ang.
The Philippines are also given two token slots
in athletics since this event is a “must-partcipate” sport being
the Olympics’ centerpiece event.
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