Pinoy netter, jin bow out early

SINGAPORE – The Philippines lost its first two events in varying fashions right in Day One of the Youth Olympic Games yesterday, further diminishing its hopes to medal in the inaugural staging of this multi-sports meet for 14-18 year-old athletes.

Jeson Patrombon failed to sustain his first-set win over Bowen Ouyang of China, losing steam and the match, 7-6(9), 3-6, 4-6, in the boys’ singles in tennis at the Kallang Tennis Centre Court 5.

Over at the International Convention Center, Kirk Barbosa fell short of his comeback bid and absorbed a 7-8 decision at the hands of Gili Haimovitz of Israel in their quarterfinal duel in the -48 kg division in boys’ taekwondo.

Those setbacks were a big blow to the country’s campaign here, leaving two swimmers, a powerlifting world champion competing in weightlifting and a foursome of dribblers ranged against a tall field to do job for Team RP.

“Physically we are at par with them all, even skills-wise,” said Team RP chef de mission Mark Joseph in assessing Patrombon and Barbosa’s losses. “I think the difference is that our rivals were more experienced.”

Still, Joseph remains hopeful of Team RP’s medal chances, pointing to swimmers Jessie Lacuna and Jasmin Alkhaldi, who open their respective bids today.

“Both are competing in their favorite events and seeded in the fastest heats. This will be good because they will be swimming all out to advance to the semis and finals,” said Joseph.

The 17-year-old Patrombon, meanwhile, hopes to stay in the medal race as he teams up with former world junior No. 1 Yuki Bambri of India when they collide with fourth seed Dramir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Mate Pavic of Croatia in the first round of the doubles competitions today.

Meanwhile, Japanese triathlete Yuka Sato made history when she became the first athlete to win a gold medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by ruling the girls triathlon at the East Coast Park yesterday.

The 18-year-old Sato, who turned in a top 10 finish in last year’s World Juniors Championships, dominated the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run events in a stunning display of endurance to crown herself the first YOG champion.

She clocked one hour and 49.69 seconds.

Australia’s Ellie Salthouse, 17, who won the YOG Oceania Qualifier and the 2009 Gold Coast ITU Aquathlon World Championships, took the silver, 14.7 seconds behind Sato while Kelly Whitley of the US came in third.