JAYSON Valdez is going to Tokyo after the shooter became the 12th Filipino to secure a seat in the Olympics this year.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino made the announcement on Saturday after receiving communication from the International Shooting Sports Federation.
The Philippine National Shooting Association, through secretary general Irene Garcia, also confirmed the development.
Valdez will be competing in the men’s 10-meter air rifle where he made it to the Olympics through a quota system implemented by the ISSF.
The last time a Filipino shooter competed in the Olympics was in 2012 when Brian Rosario saw action in men's skeet.
Filipino athletes who earlier qualified for the Olympics include 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, Caloy Yulo of gymnastics, Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam of boxing, EJ Obiena of athletics, Cris Nievarez of rowing, Kurt Barbosa of taekwondo, Margielyn Didal of skateboarding.
Elreen Ando of weightlifting has also earned a spot, while golf’s US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Juvic Pagunsan are also expected to receive the formal communication this month that they have qualified for the Olympics.
Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe is also in the hunt for an Olympic berth based on her world rankings.
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