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Light the Torch – Beijing Olympics and Other Olympic News

Philippines’ Best Hope for an Olympic Gold

by Sasha Manuel on August 16th, 2006

It’s in the sport of Martial Arts, with a focus on 2 particular disciplines, Tae Kwon Do and Wushu.

Tae Kwon Do, when loosely translated means, “the art of hand and foot”. It is an amalgamation of Japanese, Chinese and traditional Korean fighting styles, and is the most commonly practiced among the martial arts. It is the national sport of Korea and happens to be part of the Olympic roster of events.

Wushu, also known as Modern or Contemporary Wushu, literally means “martial arts”. It is based on the re-interpretation of traditional Chinese martial arts that is composed of 2 disciplines, Taolu and Sanda, which basically means the sport has two faces, an exhibition part, which is similar to gymnasticsand a full-contact or sparring part to showcase the martial art.

As reported in the article I came across, there have been 2 Filipinos who have excelled — winning gold medals at world competitions — in their respective disciplines. Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz in the 1999 Tae Kwon Do World Cup and Mark Rosales in the 1997 World Wushu Championships.

During the last 2005 South East Asian Games, the Philippine team was the over-all champion with the help of the 12 gold medals won by Filipino Wushu artists led by world champions, Willy Wang and Arvin Ting.

With these under the country’s belt, Filipino jins and artists move on to compete in the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Expectations and hopes are high, especially with the country’s campaign to exceed the number of golds won [3 golds] during the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.

And as the Olympic Games draw near, the exposure in world competitions that these athletes are getting will help bring their performance to a world class level, worthy to take home the dream of every Olympian, the Olympic gold.

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POSTED IN: Light the Torch, Martial Arts, Olympic News

28 opinions for Philippines’ Best Hope for an Olympic Gold

  • Rico
    Aug 25, 2006 at 12:57 pm

    Don’t forget lightweight boxing too! :)

    But for sure, we Pinoys will win the basketball gold medal when hell freezes over.

  • Sasha Manuel
    Aug 26, 2006 at 4:53 am

    You may be right, Rico. Let’s keep our fingers crossed! :)

    And I agree with Basketball. Heh. ;)

  • Bimbo
    Oct 5, 2006 at 8:47 am

    Bowling has long been a strong discipline of Pinoys (used to be part of the RP training pool…ehem ;) )

    Now if bowling could make it past exhibition sport status.

  • Sasha Manuel
    Oct 5, 2006 at 2:48 pm

    Really, Bimbo, you were? That’s cool.

    I know what you mean by it getting stuck at that kind of status. It just couldn’t get the respect it deserves esp on how it’s being marketed in all major malls in the country as a family or group activity and not enough talk on it being a true sport.

    I feel bad for Paeng, Bong Coo and all them bowlers that excelled in it.

  • Rico Mossesgeld
    Oct 5, 2006 at 2:52 pm

    The reason why it never gained any respect before was because the damn PBA (Professional Bowling Association, US association) kept on changing the rules.

    Remember when the helicopter spinners arrived on the sport? The PBA would oil the court to favor the traditional hook/curve bowlers. Instead of fixing the rules to keep the winners winning, just set worldwide standards, and stick to them. Eventually, bowling will gain a rep as a fair sport.

  • Bimbo
    Oct 5, 2006 at 3:11 pm

    Sasha,
    Not just them, there were other bowlers from the past, true world beaters, Lite de la Rosa, Ollie Ongtawco, Marisse Reyes and the lot. They missed out on a chance, though they did produce on the world stage.

    Rico,
    That is not a problem localized to the PBA. In regiona competions here, oil patterns would favor the local bowlers, if it’s a lefty the lanes would be blocked for them, particular boards would be used so not everyone can exploit it. If it’s a spinners home, heavy heavy oil will be the name of the game, if it’s anti spinner, crowning the lanes would be the solution to promote higher scoring conditions.

    That’s one of the biggest arguments against bowling as an olympic sport, too many factors and conditions can be rigged by the home team or host. Until that problem is solved, my beloved sport will remain out of the olympics.

  • Rico Mossesgeld
    Oct 5, 2006 at 3:13 pm

    Ah, thanks for correcting my misguided impression about American bowling. Seems like everyone’s guilty of it pala.

    Isn’t there some sort of world body to create standard conditions, para we can really if my helicopter can beat your…what spin do you use? :)

  • Bimbo
    Oct 5, 2006 at 3:38 pm

    Rico,
    The FIQ should handle that, oiling patterns are standardized naman in any competition, but I’ve seen enough to know that these can be easily circumvented.

    I use a hook ball, not too much though, since I learned my bowling in the early days of rubber and polyester balls. I’m kind of lost in this day and age of reactive, pro-active, reactive-resin and funky weight block balls.

  • Bimbo
    Oct 5, 2006 at 4:55 pm

    The FIQ is the world body but Im not sure if they’re active with regards to the Olympic movement.

    Oiling patterns can be rigged even if there are guidelines and fixed patterns set.

    I play a hook ball, but haven’t really played in a while. I consider myself retired. 20++ years of bowling is enough for me.

  • Rico Mossesgeld
    Oct 7, 2006 at 4:27 am

    That’s another thing. They need to standardize the equipment further. There’s too much leeway on how the bowlers can pimp their balls.

  • J Apelar
    Mar 1, 2007 at 7:24 pm

    Im looking for Filipino Americans who compete in the collegiate level. Any sport including skiing and snowboarding.I recruited over a dozen who are now representing the Philippines in track, swimming, beach volleyball and skiing and snowboarding in the World competitions.If you know of anyone interested please let me know.
    Contact me Jem
    Filamathletes@yahoo.com

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  • Tapiloka
    Apr 28, 2007 at 6:54 pm

    Yes, thats cool!!

  • Tapiloka
    Apr 28, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    dont forget bowling games ..!!!!

  • Gins
    May 15, 2007 at 5:23 pm

    Well the FIQ head honcho is no other than Steve Hontiveros - a Filipino if I may add, does he really work for the sport or just collect the titles? He’s been in Philippine bowling for more than 30 years.

  • Bimbo
    May 15, 2007 at 5:36 pm

    Yup Steve has been on the forefront of Philippine bowling for quite a while. I really couldn’t think of a better man to lead the sport whether locally or on the world stage. I have the pleasure of personally knowing Steve from way way back during the start of my bowling days.

    Yikes, come to think of it, I’ve been in Philippine bowling almost that long din. Argh!!

  • Rico
    May 15, 2007 at 6:38 pm

    Hey Bimbo, we still haven’t played against each other! :)

  • Bimbo
    May 15, 2007 at 6:40 pm

    hehe oo nga Rico, set the time and place and I’ll try to bring my withered arthritic knees and fingers there hehe

  • Sasha Manuel
    May 18, 2007 at 2:39 am

    I guess another thing on the list of things we can organise here in the Philippines would be a blogger bowling, eh? :lol:

  • JC Bernardo
    Jun 3, 2007 at 6:47 am

    Hi,

    I’m looking for Pinoy curlers out there. Let’s hook up.

    good curling! salamat po!

    JC B.

    http://www.usacurl.org
    http://www.curltv.com

  • William Randy
    Jun 17, 2007 at 3:11 am

    Yes, Bowling is a strong discipline

  • yehy
    Jul 4, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    Philippines is no longer a power in this dicipline.

  • Rico
    Jul 4, 2007 at 10:18 pm

    Yeah, so I guess we should just give up right? :P

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  • Ryuzaki-NCO
    Nov 18, 2007 at 1:48 am

    Ryu,
    Im a Mua Thai, Wing Chun, Wushu and Jeet-Kune-Do addict. But RP team now is for Mua Thai. I want to learn more of Mua Thai, and i believe that RP team can beat up other competitor countries. I want to be a “Part” of the RP Mua Thai Team, but i want to practice more. Can anyone give me place in manila where they teach Mua Thai? And the very cheapest or at least free i guess. ^_^ Hope you guys post any, and not just hoping ocz im begging you for it.

    Thanks,
    Ryuzaki

  • Ryuzaki-NCO
    Nov 18, 2007 at 1:49 am

    PLss guys post it here or send it to my e-mail.

  • tripko
    Nov 19, 2007 at 1:56 am

    this groups maybe able to help:

    http://www.filipinoathletes.org/

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