The 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are just around the corner, and Filipino athletes are eager to showcase their talents and dedication in their quest for victory. With their eyes set on future competitions like the 2024 Paris Olympics, top Filipino athletes Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena, and the Philippine Women’s Football Team are preparing to make their mark on the global sports stage.
The Filipino sports champions talked to the media in a virtual press conference hosted by Summit Water on April 27, 2023. Here is a summary of the briefing ahead of the scheduled Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games from May 5 – May 17 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26- August 11.
Philippine Women’s Football Team: Aiming for a Higher Rank
Following their bronze medal victory in the 2021 SEA Games, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, a.k.a Filipinas, is determined to rank even higher this year. The team’s recent 4-0 win against Hong Kong in the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament has propelled them to the next round in October. The two best teams from the AFC will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Goalkeeper Kiara Fontanilla expressed the team’s excitement to represent their country at the SEA Games and their ambition to improve upon their bronze medal finish, bringing pride and honor to the Philippines.
EJ Obiena: Busy Year Ahead for the Top Asian Vaulter
EJ Obiena, the World No. 3 pole vaulter, has a packed schedule ahead of him. After his Indoor Season double victories in Poland, Asia’s top vaulter is set to represent the Philippines at the SEA Games. Obiena will afterward continue training for the busy outdoor season. His immediate goal is to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with qualifications starting in July.
Obiena’s schedule includes the Asian Athletics Championship in Thailand, defending his world number three ranking in Europe, participating in the World Championship in Budapest, and competing in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. He is also working towards clearing the prestigious “six-meter barrier,” a feat achieved by only 24 athletes in sports history.
Hidilyn Diaz: Focusing on the Asian Weightlifting Championship
Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz will skip this year’s SEA Games to participate in the Asian Weightlifting Championship, a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Diaz is transitioning to the 59 kg weight class, a challenging move from her original category of 55 kg. She has expressed her determination to overcome the struggles and challenges of this transition.
In addition to her competitive career, Diaz is dedicated to giving back to her community. She and her team have donated weightlifting equipment to small communities and launched a weightlifting academy to help grassroots athletes achieve their dreams, including those aiming for future Olympic success.
As these top Filipino athletes prepare for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics, their dedication, hard work, and passion for their sports inspire the nation and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
RELIVE HERE the achievements of Team Philippines at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi and as hosts of the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines.
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