THE national wrestling team goes into action Tuesday at the Gia Lam District Sporting Hall, determined to stamp its class in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games despite lack of training due to the pandemic.
Noel Norada, 38, and Jason Baucas, 24, will try to keep the titles they won in 2019 in Manila where the country posted a 2-10-1 gold-silver-bronze production, second to Vietnam.
Norada will defend his crown in the 63 kg class of the Greco-Roman event while Baucas will compete in the heavier 77kg division, the 72kg class where he won in the Philippines that was scrapped by the hosts.
“Nahirapan kami sa training dahil sa pandemic,” Philippine Wrestling Federation President Alvin Aguilar said of the national team made up of nine men and women. “Maraming bagay ang gumambala sa amin. Pero nandiyan lang sila (mga wrestler), laban pa rin.”
Other Filipino bets competing in Greco-Roman of the three-day competition are Jason Balabal, Margarito Angana and Jefferson Manatad.
Seeking medals in the women’s freestyle class are Noemi Tener, Minalyn Foy-os, Grace Loberanes and Jiah Pingot while Alvin Lobreguito, Jhonny Morte, Joseph Angana and Elvis Julius will fight in the men’s side.