MANILA -- Filipino muay players have the heart of a warrior.
Pearl Managuelod, secretary-general of Muay Association of the Philippines told Philippine News Agency that local muay players are confident to win gold in the 29th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Our players have trained hard. They have the heart of a warrior,” said Managuelod on Monday before a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) board meeting in Pasig.
World Games veteran Philip Delarmino and Jonathan Polosan, both silver medalists in the 2013 games, will lead the five-man Philippine muay team in the regional biennial meet.
Delarmino of Mindanao will be seeing action in the 54-57 kg weight class while Polosan of Cagayan De Oro fights in the 63.5-67kg class.
Equally tough muay fighters who are in the team are Jay Harold Gregorio of Zamboanga (67-71 kg), Khen Johnson Marquez of Bicol (51-54 kg) and Ryan Jakiri also of Zambaonga (60-63 kg).
Managuelod said the players’ high morale is attributed to the series of foreign competitions that they participated in, which include the World Games in Poland and the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam.
Managuelod said muay athletes have been in Thailand since July for a high-level training. They will fly to Malaysia in time for their matches starting August 26.
“The government, through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is very supportive to the sports of muay especially to our athletes,” said Managuelod.
She said aside from allowances, our athletes also received financial assistance in terms of training and foreign exposures.
Filipino muay players last competed in the 2013 games held in Myanmar. They won two silvers. (PNA)
