MANILA – Filipino shooter Jayson Valdez admitted that his qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics via International Shooting Sports Federation’s quota system came as a surprise.
A bronze medalist in the 2015 Singapore Southeast Asian Games, Valdez said it was a dream fulfilled for him to represent the Philippines in the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.
“It was sudden news (qualification to 2020 Tokyo Olympics), but all there’s left to do now is give it my best,” the 25-year-old shooter told Radyo Pilipinas 2 on Sunday.
“It’s every athlete’s dream to take part in the Olympics. I’ve dedicated many years to shooting, and now, given this opportunity, I am humbled and honored to represent our country in the sport that I love,” he added.
Valdez’s qualification ended the two Olympic cycle drought for the Philippines in the shooting event after Paul Brian Rosario competed in men’s skeet as a wild card entry in London in 2012.
According to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham Tolentino, Valdez punched a Tokyo Olympics ticket after meeting the minimum qualifying scores or MQS for his participation in the World Cup and Asian qualifying tournaments.
“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 is the son of former national team standout Julius Valdez, a gold medal winner for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games but failed to reach the Olympics.
With the qualification, Valdez is the 12th Filipino athlete bound for Tokyo Olympics. /PN
