Junior wrestlers see action in SEA tiff in Thailand

MANILA, Philippines - Seventeen young Pinoy wrestlers will compete in the sixth Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Championships this weekend in Suphan Buri, Thailand, eyeing at least three gold medals in the regional tourney for 16-20 year-old grapplers.

Leading the charge is Joshua Gayuchan of Ifugao Province, the 2012  bronze medalist  who is determined to go all the way this time. The 17-year-old Gayuchan will vie in the Greco Roman 53kg hostilities in cadet play (16-17). 

Batang Pinoy product Minalyn Foy-os, Rosegyn Malabja, Jerald Bosikaw, David Caoli, Quezon City’s Meldion Piñon, King Bryan Guingona and Jefferson Manatad; Taytay’s Joseph Cañolas and Michael Jay Cate Sedano,  Zamboanga City’s Marlou Onrubia,  Makati’s Richelle Piolo, Dumaguete’s Ronil Tubog, New Era University’s Kristine Jambora, Nikkita Suarez and Brylle Magnabijon; and Mandaluyong’s Vince Palanca, round up the Phl contingent.

“Based on our assessment, most of our wrestlers can win medals and we expect a minimum of three golds from them,” said Wrestling Association of the Philippines secretary general Karlo Sevilla, whose association is looking to improve on its two-bronze collection in the last SEA cadet and junior meet.

The 17 young grapplers were among the standouts of the WAP’s National Youth Wrestling Championships. Their aim is to leave an impression in the Asean tourney to earn tickets to two bigger tourneys – the Asian Junior Championships in Phuket, Thailand on June 13-16 and the Asian Cadets Championship in Ulan Bator, Mongolia July 25-28.

“Vietnam is our strongest rival in Southeast Asia, especially on the girls side. They are competitive even in the world level. But we believe we have young female wrestlers, who given sufficient training, can compete with the Vietnamese,” said Sevilla.

Senior wrestlers are also anticipating a major international battle ahead – the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar –  and to prepare them for this, the WAP plans to bring six of them to Iran for rigorous training.

“Hopefully, we’ll send six of them to Iran to train from June to November for their SEA Games’ buildup,” said Sevilla adding that the Pinoy grapplers can learn a lot from the world-rated Iranians.

Being eyed for training in Iran are 2011 SEAG champions Margarito Angana and Jason Balabal, together with Noel Morada, Joseph Angana, Jonyy Morte, and Alvin Lobreguito of Quezon City, a bronze medalist in SEA juniors who has graduated to senior play.