MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ search for more Olympic berths goes into a final windup as Filipino Tokyo Games hopefuls from various sports plunge into action in their respective qualification tournaments in different parts of the world in the next few weeks. The four-man taekwondo team of 2016 Rio Olympics veteran Kirstie Alora and 2019 Southeast Asian Games medalists Pauline Lopez, Kurt Barbosa and Arven Alcantara fly today to compete in the Asian qualifier set May 21 to 22 in Amman, Jordan. “Our campaign for more Olympic slots is in the final swing and we wish our athletes a lot of luck,” said acting Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) executive director Guillermo Iroy, Jr., whose agency has bankrolled everything. The country has a total of eight qualifiers to date, including rower Cris Nievarez, who was the most recent addition to the list. The other Olympic entrants are pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and 2016 Rio Games weightlifting silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz.

Source: Philippine Star May 13, 2021 07:52 UTC