Busan heroine likes national riders chance

DOHA — While the foreign challenge looks formidable and the country’s top rider and reigning showjumping champion out of the roster, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski remains confident of the Filipinos’ chances when their equestrian events are played on Dec. 8 at the Sport City.

"Toni (Leviste) has been training hard the last few months. What makes it more interesting is that the rider who placed second to me in Busan is also not around," said Cojuango-Jaworski, who delivered RP’s third and last gold in the final day of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.

The beauteous rider, who showed grace under pressure atop Rustic Rouge to win the Busan gold, opted to sit out this year’s Games after sustaining a fall in the last SEA Games in Manila, which she also won. But with Leviste in tip top form and teammates Danielle Cojuan gco, Paola Zobel and Juan Ramon Lanza raring to display their wares, things could soar up indeed for the RP riders. — Dante Navarro