Shooter Jayson Valdez has qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics through the quota system of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF).
The Philippines was the last country to qualify for the event.
Making the announcement of the country’s 12th member of Team Pilipinas was none other than Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino.
“That’s an additional chance for us. Good thing there’s a quota qualifying in shooting, and the better thing, we have a world ranking athlete, also a scholar of the POC,” Tolentino said.
Valdez joins weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando; boxing flyweight Carlo Paalam, middleweight Eumir Marcial, flyweight Irish Magno, featherweight Nesthy Petecio; gymnast Caloy Yulo; pole vaulter EJ Obiena; jin Karl Barbosa; rower Cris Nievarez; and skateboarder Margie Didal as Team Pilipinas’ contingent for the Games that start in 33 days.
Valdez’s qualification in shooting ended a two-Olympic cycle drought for the Philippines in the sport. Paul Brian Rosario competed in men’s skeet as a wild card entry in London 2012.
“I received an urgent message last night from the ISSF in Germany, the mother of all the shooting federations,” Philippine National Sports Association (PNSA) Secretary-General Irene Garcia said.
“They asked me if we’re ready, so I replied ‘Yes we’re ready!’ and they gave me the quota.”
Valdez also recently participated in the World Cup and Asian qualifying tournaments.
Jayson is the son of three-time Southeast Games gold medalist Julius.
