Filipino athletes in boxing, wushu and pool win gold at ASIAN Games 2006
Without a doubt, we – Filipinos – own the game of pool and boxing. Proven again at the Doja ASIAN Games 2006 .
Golden boys Antonio “Ga-ga” Gabica (9-ball billiards), Violito Payla and Joan Tipon (boxing) and Rene Catalan (wushu) each brought our country proud by wearing top medals.
Violito Payla took the Men’s flyweight gold over defending champ Jongjohor Somjit of Thailand. He has previously lost three times to Somjit, and this victory gave him hope for another gold in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. [Photo: RABIH MOGHRABI/AFP/Getty Images ]
Joan Tipon of Bacolod won the Men’s Bantamweight in Boxing, beating Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand. Says he – “I set my heart on Olympic gold and will not be accepting any offers to turn professional.”
Antonio Gabica won the 9-ball gold medal over teammate Jeffrey de Luna. “There was no pressure at all because Jeff is a good friend and teammate. We even wished each other well before the game.” Just proves how good we are at playing pool.
Wushu artist Rene Catalan overwhelmed Vietnamese Panh Quoc Vinh. The four-time world champion, and thanked his family for inspiring him to win gold over his toughest opponent yet.
Tags: Filipino athletes, Philippines, Doja, Qatar, Asian Games 2006, Violito Payla, Antonio Gabica, 9-ball pool, boxing, flyweight, bantamweight, Joan Tipon
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