Goma wearing 2 hats in Games

Richard Gomez will be shooting for two birds with one stone in the forthcoming SEA Games.

The popular actor who’s also deep into sports yesterday announced that he is indeed competing in two events in the coming Games — team epee in fencing and shotgun in shooting.

He is believed to be the first Filipino to do it in the SEA Games.

During the SCOOP Forum at Kamayan, the actor who’s also into golf, basketball, volleyball, karting, rowing and archery said there’s no rule prohibiting anyone from doing so.

"Likewise, there is no conflict in schedule that can prevent me from competing in both (events) since they are set a day apart," said Gomez, who’s competing in his fifth SEA Games.

"Actually, I should be competing in three events but I failed to make it to the qualifying shootout in the trap event," he added.

"I had a good chance of also making it to the trap team, but I was not in the country during the final days of the tryouts," said Gomez, who was joined in the forum by fencing head Celso Dayrit.

There’s also the possibility of Gomez being named flag-bearer of the RP contingent for the Games scheduled in the country Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

Eight names are on the list of the possible flag-bearer. They are boxing’s Harry Tañamor, Violito Payla and Michelle Martinez, wushu’s Arvin Ting and Rene Catalan, bowling’s CJ Suarez, softball’s Rey Ramirez and trackster Maristella Torres.

The RP fencing team, the defending champion in the SEA Games, includes Rolando Canlas, Jana Franquelli, Jinky Naval, Veena Nuestro, Wally Mendoza and Lenita Reyes.

"With the addition of two more events this year, I think we have a better chance of retaining the championship," said Dayrit, former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. — Abac Cordero