Philippines Gold Medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Never mind that it is for a demonstration sport, a gold medal is still a gold medal. Finally, the Philippines won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Willy Wang won the gold medal for the Philippines at the Beijing Olympics’ wushu competition. Three wushu athletes, Benjie Rivera, Mary Jane Estimar and Marian Mariano, were also assured of bronze medals.

There couldn’t have been a better timing since the Philippine’s last hope for an Olympic gold medal, Mary Antoinette Rivero for Taekwondo, lost earlier. It’s not the first time the Philippines won gold medal for a demonstration sport in the Olympics. Arianne Cerdeña won a gold medal for the Philippines in the 1988 Seoul Olympics for bowling.

The Phillipines won it’s last Olympic medal in 1996 Atlanta Olympics when Ilonggo boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco won the Silver Medal. Why is it that there seemed to be a curse on the Philippines? Well, I think  the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee are the ones responsible for providing monetary support for the training of the athletes. Others say other athletes are just better than ours. Perhaps, and perhaps we also need a better sports program, a better selction and training of athletes.

Gold or no gold, our athletes deserve a hero’s welcome. It’s not easy being them considering the weight of the country’s expectations on their shoulders. We are proud of our 15 Filipino Athletes in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mabuhay kayo!

1. Mark Javier (archery)
2. Henry Dagmil (athletics)
3. Maristella Torres (athletics)
4. Henry Tanamor (boxing)
5. Miguel Molina (swimming)
6. James Wlsh (swimming)
7. Ryan Arabejo (swimming)
8. Daniel Coakley (swimming)
9. and Christel Simms (swimming)
10. Rexel Ryan Fabriga (diving)
11. Sheila Mae Perez (diving)
12. Tshomlee Go (taekwindo)
13. Mary Antoinette Rivero (taekwindo)
14. Eric Ang (shooting)
15. Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting).

Tagged as: 2008 Beijing Olympics, Olympics, Philippine Gold Medal, Philippines