MANILA – Filipino Muay Thai players from Baguio and Benguet are expected to help in the pursuit of gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games which will officially start today at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
National Muay Thai coach Billy Alumno believes his wards will deliver golds but not as much as the national sports leadership wants or dreams of.
“Definitely, we will be more productive this year. We will definitely beat our lone bronze performance the last SEAG,” said Alumno, a former national boxer from Tuding, Benguet.
Alumno, however, did not name the fighters who have a good chance of coming out with golden performance.
“We are entered in nine events this time and we expect to get three, despite the prodding of the national leadership that we should get six,” Alumno said.
“But then it will be tough,” he said, particularly for Jenelyn Olsim who will be competing against two former world champions in the women’s 54kg division.
He said Olsim is not 100 percent healthy as she limps due to a knee injury.
“Although it is not that serious but then she needs to go under the knife to have it fixed,” he said.
Rusha Bayacsan, the country’s top 45kg campaigner, said she aims to bring home the gold in the women’s weikru and taksa events.
“My plan after is to train more. And sa combat naman po magfocus (focus in combat), I want to fight international,” said Bayacsan, whose mother, Brenda, was also a former Muay Thai player.
Bayacsan will be competing with partner Irene Lepatan in the tough female draw where they will face Thai players.
“It is tough for them so I am not really trying to deceive myself that we will win the gold in the women’s side. But my players are that competitive. So they will give a good performance,” Alumno said. (PNA)
