Pinoy wushu bet bags bronze; 5 more enter semis of world tilt

Tai chi master Daniel Parantac gave the Philippines its first medal while five of eight Pinoy bets in the sanda event barged into the elite round of four of the 11th Wushu World Championships in Ankara, Turkey. Parantac, 20, turned in a bronze-medal winning performance in the taiji jian (tai chi with sword) in the men's taolu event late Tuesday night (3 a.m. Wednesday, Manila time) with a 9.71 points behind the 9.72 of silver medalist Jack Chang Loh of Malaysia. Tournament favorite Wu Yanan of China turned in a near flawless 9.85 performance to win the gold. "It was almost a silver. But I'm still happy with my performance since it's a big improvement from my ninth place finish in my first world championship two years ago," said Parantac, the most senior member of the nine-member, all-Baguio City taolu squad. Drawing inspiration from Parantac's surprise feat, Mark Eddiva (65 kgs), Benjie Rivera (56 kgs), Mary Jane Estimar (52 kgs), Rhea Mae Rifani (48 kgs) and Marianne Mariano (56 kgs) raised one more notch the pitch of the country's potent campaign and vowed to go all out in the semis of the sanda event. All five are already assured of bronze medals. Neophyte Francisco Solis, however, ended the Philippines' string of good fortunes when he lost in the 60 kgs category. The 20-year-old Ilonggo, after two come-from-behind victories, finally yielded to Lim Anthony of France. — JVP, GMA News