BUOYED by their superb outing in the recent Polish Open world qualifying meet last week, national dance sport coach Genice Bong Marquez yesterday said his charges will level up to win more honors in the World Para Dance Sports Championships in Ulsan, South Korea next month.
“Kung seven golds sa Poland, puwedeng iaangat sa 10 sa worlds. Marami tayong events na maaring ilaban sa world championships,” Marquez said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
Together with former two-time world champions Julius Obrero and Rhea Marquez, the coach made his first public appearance since the national para dance sport athletes returned home with a windfall of seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals in the qualifying competition that featured 16 countries.
Easily the standout was newcomer Edelyn Asis, who bagged four mints, including the solo free style event, upsetting former five-time European and ex-world champion from the Ukraine, according to Marquez, who recalled that he was moved to tears by the rookie’s achievement.
“The world para dance sport manager who was behind us told me that what we achieved in Poland was a ‘revolution,’” Marquez said of the six pairs who figured in three all-Filipino finals of the tournament.
Obrero and Marquez, who ruled combination freestyle Class 2 and combination latin Class 2 events, said they are keen on regaining their titles in both events after they were relegated to silvers in the 2019 edition of the world championships in Bonn, Germany.
“Kailangan makuha namin ‘yong world title muli at ibibigay ko yong best ko,” Obrero said in the public sports program supported by San Miguel Corp, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel and Braska Restaurant.
Coach Marquez said the two-month bubble training the team held at the Fr. Monti Center compound in Novaliches, Quezon City, through the help of Fr. Bert Panunciaman, played a pivotal role in the athletes’ strong showing in Poland and what they aim to achieve in South Korea on Nov. 26-28.
“Even then our mindset was not merely to qualify but to play well in the world championships,” said the mentor, who also thanked the all-out support of the Philippine Sports Commission and Pagcor in their training and participation in both events.
