by Deliza Maye Fernandez
The campaign of the Filipino athletes in the London Olympics has ended as the BMX cyclist Daniel Caluag fell out of line in the quarter finals.
In the first run, Caluag was able to finish fifth place in spite of crashing with his other opponents in the first turn. He placed seventh in the second run and ranked sixth in the third. Caluag wasn’t able to advance at the semis so he gambled his chance on the remaining fourth and fifth run in which he placed fifth and sixth for a total of 29 points. He wasn't able to qualify in the semis.
In the seeding run on August 8, he finished his run with 40.9 seconds that made him ranked second to the last among the 32 contenders.
Daniel Caluag was the only Asian who qualified in the BMX Cycling in London Olympics. BMX cycling is still fresh in this huge kind of competitions as it was first introduce in the Beijing Olympics last 2008.
by John Paul Marquez
LONDON - Filipino’s pride Mark Anthony Barriga bid adieu to his shot for the gold medal as he fell to advance in the quarter finals after a loss to Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov 17-16 in the light flyweight division in 2012 London Olympics.
Barriga was penalized because of headbutting in the third and final round of the game after he led 10-8 in the two rounds.
Philippine officials decided to file a protest about the call. They want to review that call but it didn’t happened for the officials of that match rejected the complaint. Referee Roland Labbe called the penalty to Barriga that leads to deduction and a plus point to Zhakypov.
In the first round Zhakypov dominated the game (5-4) by throwing punches but in the second round Philippines Barriga found some opening in his opponent and made him land all his punches. He became more aggressive and ended up that round leading by 10-8.
In the third round Zhakypov became desperate to win the match and to advance in the quarter that’s why he almost turn the sport into wrestling. He was grabbing Barriga and force it to lay on the floor. In that round Barriga called for headbutting but in the latter part of the round both fighters was called for deduction.
Philippine officials were disappointed about the result when it was declared that the Kazakhstan fighter won. ABAP executive director Ed Picson was the one who filed the complaint but it was unfortunately rejected.
Barriga failed to advance in the quarter after he defeated Italy’s Manuel Cappai in the round of 32, 17-7. Philippines lost again another athelete for our medal hopes. BMX Rider Daniel Caluag, Long Jump participant Marestella Torres and Rene Herrera of 500m run are the only Filipinos left in the competition, hoping to grab medals in the Olympics.
by Kattryn Erryc Sayo
A new wave of pride transpired as a Filipino Olympian with Bulakenyo roots competes in the 2012 London Olympics, with the flag of the Philippines on his back.
Tomohiko Aldaba Hoshina, nicknamed as “Tomo” by his relatives, is a son of a Japanese judoka and serviceman, and a Filipina named Vilma Aldaba, a pure Bulakenya from San Juan, Malolos City, who works as a cook. Hoshina has two siblings, namely Yuki, 32, and Ayaka, 24.
Being born and raised in Fuji City, Shizuoku Prefecture Japan, Tomo was not able to mingle much with his relatives in Bulacan. There are times when he’ll visit the Philippines, but only a few days were allotted for staying with his relatives since he has practices and trainings in Manila. Aside from this, Tomo has troubles talking to them, for he doesn’t know how to speak Tagalog.
“Hindi ‘yon marunong mag-Tagalog kasi doon na sa Japan lumaki,” said his 53-year-old uncle, Zaldy Valenzuela.
His interest in Judo wasn’t taken in from his mother side. Valenzuela said, “Wala namang nahilig sa sports sa pamilya namin, maski Judo." But with his father as a judoka, it is apparent that it was one of the reasons why Tomo became fascinated with it.
“’Yong kapatid niyang si Ayaka, naglalaro din ‘yon pero martial arts,” added his uncle.
His relatives also said his passion for judo bloomed in his adolescent years.
The 25-year old judoka decided to represent the Philippines for he believes he has a bigger chance in entering the Olympics as a Filipino, rather than as a Japanese.
His uncle also shared, “Pilipinas mismo ang kumuha kay Tomo.”
Representing the Philippines in the Olympics, Hoshina isn’t new to joining competitions. In the Philippines, he had been a contender in Judo twice, in an event in Cebu. Internationally, he had already battled at World Championships and Southeast Asian games events.
Aside from being fond of judo, the 5’11 and 125 kg judoka is also a highschool teacher in Japan. He told The Philippine Star that he also likes basketball and swimming but will never be a pro. Instead, he’ll concentrate on his career as a teacher.
Meanwhile, Hoshina’s uncle showed support for him. Valenzuela hopes for the victory of his nephew in his upcoming game in London. As a message to Tomo, he said, “Umuwi ka ng may medal. Alam kong kayang-kaya mo ‘yan dahil maganda ang naging training mo. Pagbutihin mo ang laban, para sa karangalan, unang-una ng Pilipinas, ng Bulacan, at ng ating pamilya.”
Two other Filipinos with Bulakenyo lineage are included in the list of Philippine delegates. They are Jessie Lacuna, a contender in swimming, and Daniel Caluag, a Fil-Am competitor in BMX Cycling.
by Deliza Maye Fernandez
Despite of crashing the chance to bag the Olympic gold medal, Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is still looking forward for 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Philippines flag-raiser was able to lift 97 kilograms in the snatch but failed to lift 118kg on the clean and jerk. As a result, she was not able to advance past the group of Women’s 58 kilogram-weightlifting. Though she lost the chance to bring home an olympic medal, Diaz will continue her quest on the 2016 Olympics and will start for a new training according to her interview on ABS-CBN news.
The weightlifter is grateful for all the Filipinos who keep on supporting her despite of her loss.
"Thank you talaga kasi matalo o manalo nandyan sila para sa 'kin para suportahan ako at thank you kasi in-encourage nila ako to fight. Saka may next time pa naman," she said.
Diaz will lift heavier weights in her training to boost her chances for the future competitions.
-With a report from Jomel Anthony Gutierrez, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
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