2 Pinoy bets reach World Wushu finals

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning world champion Jessie Aligaga and former titleholder Benjie Rivera came away with a pair of lopsided victories to cruise into the finals of their respective divisions in the 12th World Wushu Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The diminutive Aligaga made mincemeat of his taller opponent, Sri Lankan W.L. Gunasekara, whom the Iloilo bet beat in the previous world meet to reign in the 48kg category.

Rivera also fashioned out an easy win over the host’s bet, Lee Wei Loong, in their 52kg class encounter.

Aligaga, the 2012 Sanda World Cup champion, guns for the gold medal against newcomer Song Bu Er of China.

Rivera, the 2005 world wushu gold medalist who reverted to his original class, will clash with Vietnamese Hoang Hung Tu, Dembert Arcita’s prey in the 2011 finals.

Rivera’s stint in the 56kg netted him bronze medals in 2007 and 2011. Team Philippines did not compete in the 2009 worlds.

Jean Claude Saclag, also of Baguio City like Rivera, and Evita Elise Zamora of Davao City, both debuting in the seniors division, settled for bronze medals.

Saclag bowed to Vietnamese Ban Van Trong while Zamora lost to Irani Elahe Mansoryan Samiroumi. The latter proceeded to bag the women’s 52kg gold medal.

2009 world juniors spearplay gold medalist John Keithley Chan, also of Baguio City, missed the medal round after losing to Macau’s Chu Chi Wai (9.64 to 9.61) in his favorite event.

“This early I would say the team has been doing a remarkable job. We are in the process of rebuilding,” said Team Philippines manager Tony Candelaria, chief of Baguio City wushu body.

World Wushu Championships 2011 gold medalist Arcita was left out while silver medalists Marianne Mariano and Mary Jane Estimar and bronze winner Rhea May Rifani had retired.