Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) – The Philippine kurash team is focused on surpassing their medal haul three years ago in the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month.

“Our goal is to exceed if not maintain our medal standing from the 30th SEA Games,” national kurash team playing captain Al Llamas told CNN Philippines.

The Filipinos finished third in the overall medal table in kurash during the 2019 SEA Games held in San Fernando, Pampanga with one gold, two silvers, and five bronzes.

Since kurash is a contact sport, Llamas said the early stages of their SEA Games preparations were affected by movement restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We did the best that we can and made sure that our athletes maintained their conditioning,” said Llamas, one of the five bronze medalists in the 2019 SEA Games.

With the easing of pandemic restrictions in the country, Llamas disclosed that the national team organized a training bubble inside the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Estie Gay Liwanen, the lone gold medalist for the Philippine kurash team in 2019, will spearhead the campaign for the 10-strong national squad.

Silver medalist Bianca Estrella and bronze medalists Llamas and Sydney Sy will also utilize their previous experiences to maintain or improve their previous podium finishes.

The other kurash wrestlers competing in the May 10-13 tournament are Adrian Perillo, Jackielou Escarpe, Renzo Cazeñas, George Baclagan, Helen Aclopen, and Charmea Quelino.

Kurash is a sport which employs traditional wrestling styles usually practiced in Central Asia.

The Philippine kurash team is expected to face an uphill battle for medals against Thailand and host Vietnam, which ruled the 2019 competition with seven golds, one silver, and two bronzes.