Goodluck Team Philippines 2012!

Did you know that the Philippines have never won a gold medal in the Olympics? The first Olympic medal (bronze) won by a Filipino was in swimming by Teofilo Ildefonso in 1928 Amsterdam. Silver medals were won too by Anthony Villanueva in 1964 Tokyo and Mansueto Velasco in 1996 Atlanta which was both from boxing. After the 1996 Atlanta, besides from the several bronze medals won at the span of 20 appearances in the Olympics, no medal was added in the Philippine athlete’s neck.

This time, the Philippines sent an 11-member team, the country’s best athletes but the fewest ever in history, will bid for the elusive gold starting today, July 27 which is the official start of the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

Team Philippines 2012 London Olympics
Photo taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/countries/philippines

 The members who will go for gold are (left to right – top to bottom):

• Paul Brian Rosario - Shooting (Skeet)
• Rachel Ann Cabral - Archery
• Daniel “Dennis” Caluag - Cycling (BMX)
• Tomohiko Aldaba Hoshina - Judo (Super Heavyweight)
• Rene Herrera - Athletics (5,000-Meter Run)
• Jasmine Alkhaldi - Swimming (100-Meter Freestyle)
• Marestella Torres - Athelics (Women’s Long Jump)
• Hidilyn Diaz - Weightlifting (58 Kilograms)
• Mark Javier - Archery
• Jessie Khing Lacuna - Swimming (200-Meter Freestyle)
• Mark Anthony Barriga - Boxing (Light Flyweight)

Goodluck to the Philippine Team! Go for Gold!