Led by Olympians Jayson Valdez and Paul Bryan Rosario, the Philippine national shooting team is determined to end its long wait for a gold medal at the 19th Asian Games.
Valdez and Rosario will be joined by veterans Amparo Teresa Acuna, Hagen Topacio, Joaquin Miguel Ancheta, Franchette Shayne Quiroz, and rookie Enrique Enriquez in their quest to return to the gold-medal podium after 65 years.
The last time Team Philippines secured gold in shooting was in 1958 in Tokyo when Martin Gison dominated the men’s air rifle open category, and Adolfo Feliciano excelled in the men’s small-bore rifle 3 positions.
“This is the crème de la crème of Philippine shooting. Expect some outstanding performances from these two,” said Philippine National Shooting Association Secretary-General Iryne Garcia, referring to Valdez and Rosario.
“We also have rookie Enrique, who is currently performing well, and pistol shooter Franchette. We expect to give it a strong effort,” Garcia added. She arrived with the team at the Athletes Village on Friday.
Rosario, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, will participate in the men’s skeet event, while Valdez, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian, will try his hand at the men’s 10m air rifle, 50m rifle 3 positions, and air rifle mixed team.
The team also includes 2008 Beijing Olympian Eric Ang (men’s trap and trap team), Carlos Carag (men’s trap and trap team), and Elvie Baldivino (women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol).
Topacio will also compete in the men’s trap, Enriquez in the men’s skeet, and Ancheta and Quiroz have been slated for the women’s 10m air pistol event.
