Windsurfer joins cast of elite bets

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino windsurfer joined the roster of “elite athletes” formed by the Philippine Sports Commission set to get bigger allowances and a number of international exposures as part of their training for top-level competitions.

Reneric Moreno was reportedly upgraded to elite athletes status by PSC chair Harry Angping for topping the first Emerging Nations Program Windsurfing Regatta in Perth, Australia recently.

Angping, however, said he would make the official announcement upon his arrival from Shanghai, China today.

Theodore Dizon, secretary-general of the Philippine Windsurfing Association, Inc., said Moreno’s feat is a big boost to the country’s bid in this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

“His (Moreno) success solidifies his training program and preparation plan towards the 2010 Asian Games and surely he will secure a slot in the coming training camps towards the Olympic qualifiers in 2011,” said Dizon in his letter to Angping.

“This was a fruitful training camp as his skills were polished and important lessons were picked up. The most visible result of this camp is his increased confidence level. He can now compete at par with European and Asian top players,” he said.

Other athletes in the “elite” cast are swimmers Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley, chesser Wesley So, taekwondo jin Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go, long jumper Marestella Torres and netters Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey among others.

Competing in only his first international event, Moreno captured the gold medal in the RS:X class, besting a field of 40 from 10 countries that included Tim Gourlay and Eamon Robertshaw from the host country.