Young gymnasts in action in YOG; cyclist ready to compete

MANILA — Gymnast Hillarion Palles III competed in the men’s individual all-around in the 4th Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, as Filipino athletes surged into action in Dakar, Senegal.

Another gymnast, Tchelzy Maayo, will compete in the women’s individual all-around on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, cyclist Maritanya Krog pronounced herself ready for the medal event after testing the course for the women’s road race.

Gymnastics coach Reyland Capellan admitted that Palles is at a disadvantage in the YOG.

“We’re only given two slots in the YOG and only the team and individual all-around events are programmed here,” he explained.

“We won’t have any chance at all anymore for the team gold, and in the all-around, it would be difficult for a podium finish, you have to be more than average in all apparatus,” he added.

The coach noted that Japan and China — both bringing full teams to Senegal — are tipped to dominate.

Maayo, who counts the floor exercise and vault as her forte, remains confident.

“I’ve been having fun so far as I try to get focused,” she said. “I’ll perform by best, medal or not.”

Krog and the cycling participants had their first official training at the venue in Corniche—an 8.50-km relatively flat route with the Atlantic Ocean as backdrop.

Technical officials did minor revisions on the route and distance for the individual road race and individual time trial on Tuesday and will make a final announcement later Saturday.

Naomi Caesar competes women’s athletics’ 800 meters at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Dakar Monday with Krog returning to Corniche for the ITT and  Pi Wangkay for the men’s 200 meters on Tuesday.

Jade Justiniane will be Team Philippines’ last competitor in windsurfing starting on Wednesday at Saly Beach West.