Wally leads Philippine team in 9th Asian Wushu with gold

University of the Cordilleras Jaguar and world champion Divine Wally captured the lone gold for the Philippines in the 9th Asian Wushu Championships in Taipei last week.

The 19-year-old Wally of Baguio outpointed Luan Thi Hoang of Vietnam in two rounds of the finals of the 48 kilograms of the wushu-sanda (contact) to get her first Asian wushu gold in her promising career.

Coming into the finals, Wally also outclassed Ranjan Devi Laishram of India in two rounds to arrange a semi-final duel with Bokyeong Byeon of Korea.

Trained in China for two months before the competitions, Wally perfectly executed her striking skills against the Korean opponent to reach the finals.

"Our rigid training in China and the continued support of fans helped us win this gold. We'll cherish this moment," said the Education student of UC.

Before the biennial event in Taipei, Wally is the first female member of the Philippine Team to win the elusive gold in the 13th World Wushu Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia in Nov. 18, 2015.

Wally is a silver medalist both in the 2013 Asian Junior Championships held in Manila and 2013 South East Asian Games in Myanmar.

RP team members Arnel Mandal of Iloilo won silver in the 52kgs. sanda while Carlos Baylon of Bacolod took the bronze in the 56kg. division of sanda.

Also, Clemente Tabugara Jr. of Zamboanga and Hergie Bacyadan of Kalinga captured bronze in the men's and women's 56kg. division, respectively while Agatha Wong won bronze in the taijijian taulo competition.

Three more Cordillerans - world champion Jean Claude Saclag, Asian Junior gold medalist Ken Omengan and Thornton Sayan - failed to win a medal in Taipei.

Published in the Baguio Midland Courier issued September 11, 2016 | Article by Harley F. Palangchao

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