Philippines improves AIMAG medal tally 10-fold from 2013

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine athletes returned home with an improved medal finish in the 5th edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which wrapped up Wednesday night, September 27 at the Ashgabat Olympic Complex in Turkmenistan.

The country wound up at 19th place in a pool of 62 nations after registering a total of 30 medals including two golds, 14 silvers, and 14 bronzes. 

In its previous participation in the 2013 AIMAG which took place in Incheon, South Korea, the Philippines brought home only 3 medals at a 1-0-2 (gold-silver-bronze) finish.

PH capped its stint in the games with a string of silvers courtesy of the national bowling and chess teams. 

The women’s team of 4, represented by bowlers Maria Liza Del Rosario, Marie Alexis Sy, Marian Lara Posadas and Krizziah Lyn Tabora, settled for silver after succumbing to South Korea, 873-801, in the final day of the contest. 

International chess masters Emmanuel Garcia and Paulo Bersamina also went home at second place in the men’s rapid team under-23 event after succumbing to Chinese duo Wei Yi and Xu Yinglun in the battle for gold.

“We succeeded and exceeded the country’s expectations in the AIMAG,” said PH Chef de mission Monsour Del Rosario. 

“We didn’t make any bold projections and just believed that our athletes can accomplish it.”

Jiu-jitsu bets Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez were the two who struck gold for the Philippines in the games, while the band of silver medalists were led by Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and Eric Cray, as well as Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit of the billiards team. 

Host country Turkmenistan bagged the overall championship with an aggregate of 245 medals on the board including 89 golds, 70 silvers, and 86 bronzes.

China came in second after listing 42 golds, 32 silvers, and 23 bronzes, while Iran snagged 3rd place with a 36-23-59 medal haul. – Rappler.com