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| Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio (guaranteed bronze) and Hidilyn Diaz (gold) are the country’s first medalists of the Tokyo Olympics so far. (Photo from AFP) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA — For the first time since the Los Angeles 1932 Games, the Philippines will finish with multiple medalists in the Olympics, PH Inquirer reported. As of Wednesday, the Philippine delegation to the Tokyo Olympics has now secured two medals after Hidilyn Diaz’s gold in weightlifting and Nesthy Petecio’s guaranteed bronze in boxing.
But more medals are expected to come for the Philippines with three more boxers headed by Eumir Marcial still in contention and other top bets in reigning US Women’s Open golf champion Yuka Saso, fast-rising pole vaulter EJ Obiena among others yet to see action in their respective events. World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo will also compete in the medal round of vault on Aug. 2. Tokyo 2020 is already considered as a banner Olympic year for the Philippines following Diaz’s accomplishment and Petecio’s sure podium.
Diaz’s feat completed the near-century old quest for the gold medal by the Philippines, which first participated in the Olympics in Paris in 1924. In 1932, the Philippines plucked three bronze medals courtesy of athletics’ Simeon Toribio, bantamweight boxer Jose Villanueva and swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso. Yldefonso was also the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal after he bagged the bronze in Amsterdam in 1928.
