Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) — Four Filipino windsurfers are looking to clinch a slot in the Tokyo Olympics in July as they compete in the 2021 Mussanah Open Championship in Oman.
The Philippine contingent led by two-time RS: One world champion Geylord Coveta arrived in Oman on Tuesday for the Asian and African Olympic qualifying competition slated from April 1-8.
Coveta, 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Yancy Kaibigan, and Renz Angelo Amboy are among the field of windsurfers vying for the lone Olympic slot in the RS:X Male event.
2019 SEA Games silver medalist Charizzanne Jewel Napa is one of the four female windsurfers who will battle for the lone Olympic berth in the RS:X Female event. She will face bets from Indonesia, Singapore, and Algeria.
Philippine windsurfing team head coach Raul Lazo told CNN Philippines they were thankful the four Filipino windsurfers were invited to the Olympic qualifiers in Oman, despite not being able to join any tournaments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lazo expressed optimism the Filipino windsurfers can secure the coveted lone Olympic berth, with Asian windsurfing powerhouse countries like China, Japan, and South Korea already qualified in the quadrennial sports event.
“What’s left now are Thailand and Taiwan. We beat Thailand during the last SEA Games, while I can say we have a clear advantage over Taiwan. Although I honestly say their performance will depend on wind conditions during the tournament,” he said.
Lazo added that the four Filipino windsurfers have been training for months in a resort in Mabini, Batangas.
“We’re thankful for the local government of Mabini for being cooperative for the training of our athletes. As early as last year, we’re preparing already amid the pandemic,” said Lazo, who mentioned there are two prior international tournaments that the Filipino windsurfers are supposed to join but got canceled because of the pandemic.
The four Filipino windsurfers are looking to follow Richard Paz, who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic windsurfing competitions.
