CAGAYAN de Oro mCity — Zamboanga City weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos will carry the Philippine flag at the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, giving the young record-holder a major role as Team Pilipinas begins its medal campaign.
Delos Santos, a world junior champion and record-breaker, will share flag-bearing duties with Paris Olympics boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas of Tacloban City.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) confirmed the pair during a joint send-off ceremony for the Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games.
POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the two were chosen based on their achievements and the competition schedule.
The selection also allows other medal hopefuls, including tennis star Alex Eala, to rest ahead of their early matches.
Chasing eight golds
The Philippines is sending 447 athletes in 34 sports to the Asian Games, with sports officials setting a target of eight gold medals.
Weightlifting, boxing and other combat sports are among the country's main medal hopes, along with gymnastics, tennis, skateboarding, swimming and esports.
The delegation includes Olympic champions Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena, tennis standout Eala and the defending Asian Games men's basketball champions Gilas Pilipinas.
Tolentino also expressed hope that the boxing team can finally deliver an Asian Games gold medal, a result the country has long been seeking.
Support for Team Pilipinas
The national government has increased the allowance of competing athletes and coaches by ₱6,000, while Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Christopher Go pledged continued support for the country's athletes.
For Delos Santos, carrying the flag puts a spotlight on a young athlete from Zamboanga who has already made his mark in international weightlifting.
The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
