Didal, Obiena named Asian Games flag-bearers

MANILA, Philippines – Margielyn Didal and EJ Obiena will be carrying the Philippine flag in the opening ceremony of the upcoming 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino announced Monday.

Didal won a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games for skateboarding, while Obiena is a many-time medalist in several pole vault competitions.

The Asiad will fire off on September 23, and Tolentino said the Philippine team will be looking to win more medals than it did in the 2018 edition. 

“We will try to beat the previous record in the last Asian Games… It will be a big challenge to us, pero alam kong kaya natin iyan,” Tolentino said. 

“May paghuhugutan tayo kahit kulang ang ating mga elite athletes na nasa ibang competition na kasabay ng Asian Games. I believe we can still do it,” he added. 

The Filipinos finished the Indonesia meet in 19th place, behind Singapore.

In the 2018 Asiad, the Philippines had four gold medals, two silver medals and 15 bronze medals.  

Meanwhile, sports officials on Monday sent off the athletes who will be competing in the meet. 

“As we send off Team Philippines, we are not just sending a team. We are sending the embodiment of our nation’s hopes and dreams,” Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann said. 

“Our athletes carry with them the aspirations of millions of Filipinos. Kayo ang buhay na patunay na ang bawat pangarap ay natutupad sa sipag, dedikasyon at tiyaga,” he added.