Pinoy athletes brace for biggest battle
Now here's good news, and bad news. First, the bad news: Hidilyn Diaz-naranjo, the toast of Philippine sports, queen of weightlifting, the true definition of Filipina power, and undoubtedly an impetus that broke gender barriers, failed to secure a Paris berth through the qualification tournament in Phuket, Thailand.
The Tokyo champion, whose charm and courage amid adversities moved many lives, won't be included in those precious seats bound for the lovely French capital; her broad shoulders — chiseled and fortified to carry the dreams of an entire nation — will now be a missing figure in the traditional opening parade; and oh, those contagious smiles and the piercing squeal, heard and watched for millions of times, and immortalized Hidilyn's rightful place among the greats, won't be caught again in a moment of victory over trials.
Instead, we will have a new breed of torchbearers, who could be the next Hidilyn, in Paris, in 2028 Los Angeles, or in the next few decades. Hidilyn planted the seeds, the winning formula, and the character to be imitated, and the country will reap the fruits of these inspiring acts to soon become a global power in sports.
Elreen Ando made huge waves after booking her Paris spot in the women's 59 kg class in the same Phuket tilt earlier this month.
The 25-year-old Cebuana lifted 100 kgs in snatch and 128 kgs in clean and jerk for a total of 228 kgs to push herself inside the top 10 of her weight division who will all automatically earn Olympics tickets. Unfortunately, Hidilyn was in the same category after her 55 kg class was scrapped by the Paris organizers. This development forced her to prepare for a heavier division and devise a plan against heftier rivals.
The inevitable happened when she only cleared a total of 222 kgs for 11th place in the Phuket World Cup.
Also making it to the Summer Games were weightlifters John Ceniza (men's 61 kg) and Vanessa Sarno (women's — 71 kg).
In boxing, Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio eyes redemption in women's featherweight after falling short three years ago. She will be joined by middleweight Eumir Marcial, a Tokyo bronze medallist, and flyweight Aira Villegas, a debutant in the quadrennial event. The pugs gear up for a final push in a
Bangkok qualifiers set next month. Among the strongest prospects are Carlo Paalam, a silver winner in Tokyo, Rogen Ladon, and Hergie Bacyadan.
Of course, who would miss an eye on EJ Obiena and Carlos Yulo?
Obiena, the No. 2 pole vaulter in the world, is ripe for Olympic success after a string of impressive finishes in Europe and the title as the only Asian athlete to surpass the six-meter bar in history. This 2024, the Tondo native has two first-place honors in Germany and Croatia, making him one of the favorites to land at the podium in Paris.
The diminutive Yulo, meanwhile, made it to the headlines after pocketing the parallel bars gold medal and a vault silver in the Doha World Cup just a week ago.
Yulo, a fancied bet in Tokyo but surprisingly fumbled in the biggest stage with a dismal showing in his pet event floor exercise, showed readiness in pursuing his ultimate goal after beating some of the biggest names in gymnastics in the Doha tilt with a few months left before the Olympics.
Joining him in the team are Aleah Finnegan and Levi Ruivivar in the women's side.
The most recent addition to the Paris crew is rower Joanie Delgaco, also an Olympic first-timer, who qualified in the women's single sculls event through the Asia and Oceania Regatta tournament in South Korea.
With the deadline for qualification set in the last week of June, hopes are pinned on aspiring Filipino athletes who all dream of becoming the next Hidilyn Diaz. But as Diaz's reign came to a sudden and painful end, let us celebrate her contributions that made us a stronger participating nation in the biggest sporting spectacle in the world.
These athletes deserve the same amount of support, respect, and admiration as they wave our flag in the Olympics. After all, the pursuit of greatness comes with a greater responsibility of bringing joy and pride to our dear country. Good luck, atletang Pinoy!
(Ramon Rafael C. Bonilla is the sports editor of Manila Bulletin.)