Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — The Philippines is poised to continue its dominance in wushu as most of the country’s best athletes in the sport will return in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month.
2019 SEA Games double gold medalist Agatha Wong leads the names of the 12-strong Philippine wushu team shared by Wushu Federation of the Philippines secretary-general Julian Camacho to CNN Philippines.
Wong made history at home soil three years ago after sweeping the two women’s taolu events: taijiquan and taijijian. Camacho said the 23-year-old Wong will defend her crown in the two wushu disciplines in Vietnam.
Wong completed the medal conquest of the national wushu team in the 30th SEA Games held in Pasay City, where they harvested seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes.
Also seeking for back-to-back golds in the 31st SEA Games wushu competitions are Divine Wally (women’s sanda 48kg), Clemente Tabugara Jr. (men’s sanda 70kg), and Arnel Mandal (men’s sanda 56kg).
Francisco Solis, who topped the men’s sanda 56kg in Pasay, will compete in the heavier 65kg division in Hanoi.
The other members of the Philippine wushu team are 2019 SEA Games silver and bronze medalist Jones Inso (men’s taijijian, taijiquan) and bronze medalists Daniel Parantac (men’s taijijian, taijiquan), Johnzenth Gajo (men’s changquan, daoshu gunshu), and Thornton Sayan (men’s nanquan, nangun, nandao).
Completing the squad are Jenifer Kilapio (women’s sanda 52kg) and 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Gideon Padua (men’s sanda 60kg).
The 31st SEA Games wushu tournament is scheduled from May 13-15.
