Angping: RP can win 10 gold medals in 2010 Asian Games

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping made a bold prediction on Thursday that the country is capable of winning 10 gold medals in the 2010 Asian Games slated in Guangzhou, China from Nov. 12 to 27. Angping said the growing number of potential gold medalists in the PSC training program boosted his confidence that his ambitious goal is attainable.

"I think that it is achievable, as long as we continue supporting our athletes," said the former Manila Representative. A 10-gold haul in the Guangzhou Asiad would be a huge improvement from the four-gold harvest of the Philippines in the 2006 Doha Asian Games in Qatar. It will also be the second biggest production for the country which plucked 14 gold medals when Manila hosted the 1954 Asian Games. The 14 gold medals put the Philippines in second place behind the 38 won by Japan. Adding four more athletes to PSC’s roster of potential gold medal winners made Angping confident with his 10-gold medal forecast. Taekwondo jins Tshomlee Go and Marie Antoinette Rivero, and chess players Grandmasters Darwin Laylo and Rogelio “Joey" Antonio were the recent additions to the “elite" list. They joined bowler Biboy Rivera, Fil-Am netters Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey, swimmers Miguel Molina and Daniel Coakley, long jumper Marestella Torres and cue artist Rubilen Amit. So, at 16, is the country’s highest rated player with a 2665 ELO rating. He is considered a gold-medal contender in the Asian Games Dragon boat, which is making its Asian Games debut, is also expected to produce two gold medals. Others seen to deliver are taekwondo, bowling, boxing, athletics and billiards. – GMANews.TV