Hoping to replicate their medal output in the 2019 edition of the Southeast Asian Games, the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) has intensified its training for the upcoming biennial meet.
SKP coach Mark Sangiao said 11 of the possible athletes who will be seeing action in the regional sports meet has already began their in-house training as they expect tough competition from host Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and perennial SEAG power house Thailand.
The kickboxing squad will once again be bannered by gold medalists Jean Cluade Saclag and Gina Iniong and silver medalists Renalyn Daquel.
Boosting the squad’s line up is former MMA world champion Honorio Banario and will be joined by Claudine Veloso, Gretle Depas, Daryl Chulipas, Kurt Lubrica, Jomar Balangui, Emmanuel Cantores and Carlos Alvarez
“We are hopeful to bag the over-all title in kickboxing with our line – up but Vietnam will be our toughest competition again,” said Sangiao.
With three gold medals, including two silver and one bronze, the Philippines placed second behind Vietnam with their four – gold medal and two bronze medal output.
Giving boost to their upcoming competition, Benguet caretaker Eric Go Yap meanwhile assured the athletes that training facilities in Benguet will be available for them once the sports complex in La Trinidad is finished.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga atleta dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo and at the same time gusto ko I-assure na we are trying our best to fast track the completion of our sports facility in Benguet para dun sila makapag-training ng maayos,” added Yap.
The 31st SEA Games will be held in Hanoi from May 12th to 23rd. It was originally scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 2, 2021 but was moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biennial meet will feature 40 sports, mainly those played at the Olympic Games, including Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art which involves the use of the hands, elbows, legs, knees and weapons such as swords, knives, chisels, claws, fans.
Athletes who will compete in Vovinam are Renato Cha Jr., Lit .
