NAY PYI TAW – Orencio James “OJ” Virgil delos Santos is no longer the thin 21-year-old who saw action in his first SEA Games two years ago.
“Big difference,” said Delos Santos. “Back then, I kinda felt more nervous and I was rather scrawny at that time.”
Now packing more beef and power in his frame, Delos Santos is positive he could do much better in the 27th SEA Games karatedo competitions starting Friday at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
Delos Santos is the country’s lone entry in the kata and he hopes to improve on his bronze finish as a Games newcomer.
“I’ve now bulked up and I have more power and speed. I've also been practicing my katas twice a day,” said Delos Santos, adding the ones to beat are defending champion Faisal Zainuddin of Indonesia and the entry from Malaysia.
Still, coach Ali Panvinfar, an Iranian who handled the karatekas’ 2 ½-month training in Tehran, believes Delos Santos could go higher than third.
“He’s in good shape now better than before. I hope he wins,” said Panvinfar.
That goes for the rest of the 12-member squad.
“Very hard pairings but we are doing our best,” said Panvinfar, before admitting it will be out of their hands once the competitions begin.
“They have to do their best,” said Panvinfar.
“The chances for the gold? I can’t really say right now. Mentally and physically they’re ready. I’m just hoping they do their best and we get the gold.”
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