Not even recurring tendinitis and a battered right knee could stop wushu artist Agatha Wong from delivering the third bronze medal for the Philippine delegation, as she placed third in the women’s taijijian and taijiquan all-around competition in the 2018 Asian Games held Monday at the Jakarta International Expo.
The 20-year-old College of Saint Benilde student – who performed second in the field of 16 entries in the finals of the combined event – finished fifth with a score 9.68 points in the taijiquan held on Sunday, before winding up in third with 9.68 in the taijijian on Monday for a total score of 19.36, just enough for her to clinch the bronze and grab her very first medal in a maiden Asian stint.
Wong tried to focus amid all the noise of an animated crowd that included Indonesia President Joko Widodo, who came as early at the start of the event and personally witnessed home bet Lindwell Lindwell score a 9.75 first-place performance for a total of 19.50 points and the gold medal.
Juanita Uen Ying Mok of Hong Kong grabbed the silver medal with a total of 19.42 points.
“I was so nervous because I placed fifth in the first discipline.
“I had to make sure of an impressive performance in the second discipline so I can have a chance,” said Wong, who had an impressive stint in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia with her gold in the taijiquan event and another silver in the taijijian event.
Performing to the tune of Heal the World, Wong – unmindful of Widodo’s presence – dished out her best performance despite a nagging pain in her foot and a bruised knee, both of which bothered her landing.
“Nahirapan po talaga ako tumapak dahil sa tendinitis ko, tapos hirap ako mag-bend dahil sa knees ko. But I felt relieved kasi tapos na ako and my hard work paid off,” said Wong, who didn’t expect that she would make the podium on her first try in the Asiad.
“I had no expectations.
“I just wanted to do my best and I think I did my best performance. So I think that’s worth it na din for my sacrifices and my family, who always supports me,” Wong said.
“I just always keep a very positive mindset and that has taken me places already ever since nung SEA Games and the World Championship.”
Wong’s bronze medal is the third for the Philippine team, counting the two others from the men’s and women’s poomsae taekwondo teams.
