Wushu's Agatha Wong, wakeboarder Raph Trinidad are PH flag bearers in 2025 World Games

Wushu star Agatha Wong and wakeboarder Raph Trinidad will lead Team Philippines as the flag bearers in the opening ceremony of the upcoming World Games in Chengdu, China which will be held from August 7 to 17.

Wong is a two-time silver medalist in the World Championships and a five-time Southeast Asian Games winner, while Trinidad won the gold in the IWWF Asia and Oceania Championships in Pampanga last January.

A total of 47 athletes will represent the Philippines in the tournament which carries competitions for non-Olympic sports.

“I’m grateful to carry the flag. I feel so really blessed about the opportunity that I got for the first time to compete in the World Games,” said Wong.

Trinidad, meanwhile, will make his debut in the World Games and he shared his gratefulness for the task assigned to him by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

“It will be my first time competing and I expect a tough competition. All world events are competitive, but I believe World Games will be more competitive, so it means a lot for me,” Trinidad said. “I am so thankful to be named flag bearer too.”

Aside from Wong, Faith Collado, Carlos Baylon, and Jones Inso will also compete in wushu events, while Trinidad will be joined by fellow wakeboarder Eric Ordonez.

Billiards will also be in the spotlight in the Games with Rubilen Amit, Chezka Centeno, and Jeffrey De Luna comprising the squad. Kayla Napolis and Annie Ramirez of jiu-jitsu will also compete, while Olympic boxer Hergie Bacyadan will compete in kickboxing. 

Rudzma Abubakar will represent the Philippines in Muay, while Joyce Reboton and Reggie Ramirez will compete in powerlifting as Aislinn Yap will participate in sambo.

Triathletes Kim Mangrobang, Franklin Yee, Bea Quiambao, Maynard Pecson, John Patrick Ciron, and Merry Joy Trupa will also take part, while the country will also have a 14-member floorball squad and 12-strong dragon boat team.

POC president Abraham Tolentino hopes to have a better showing as the Philippines sends its biggest delegation yet in the World Games.

“We’re eyeing a significant improvement in these Chengdu World Games from the previous edition in Birmingham,” Tolentino said while referring to the lone gold medal bagged by Junna Tsukii in the 2022 edition in the United States.

“This is going to be the largest delegation in all World Games editions and I am praying for more medals, especially gold,” Tolentino said.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News