ONE of the important things to consider in our SEA Games participation is the golden performances of our gymnast Carlos Yulo and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
Honestly, they were a cinch to win. Only a fool would think otherwise.
They had won their gold medals even weeks before the Games could blast.
Both are so world-class that it was almost next to impossible for them to lose.
So that in essence, their victories were a given.
It is in the unlikelihood of a loss being absorbed by the two that the nation was most worried about. Upsets happen in the most unlikely places, moments. Thank God it didn’t happen.
Yulo had openly admitted to being so much under pressure.
After his victory in the all-around event (six routines) on opening day, Yulo said, in Filipino: “I was so nervous and I felt the pressure of performing before my countrymen.”
When he entered the arena, Yulo had his head wrapped in his jacket to drown out the welcoming cheers of his adoring fans.
And when he was about ready to start action, he placed his right index finger on his lips, as if to hush the delirious crowd. Pressure, indeed, was gnawing at his knees.
That has been usually the case.
Many athletes find it more difficult to achieve success in their home ground, particularly in individual competitions, than when they’re competing overseas.
It’s different in team events, like basketball. You are not alone playing; having teammates playing with you at the same time automatically lessens the pressure.
Like Yulo, Diaz likewise said she felt the hometown cheers getting into her nerves while gunning for victory.
“I felt the pressure, indeed,” she said in Filipino. “But now that I got the SEA Games gold to add to my Asian Games gold, there’s no other way but to capture the Olympic gold in Tokyo next year.”
But while Yulo has qualified for Tokyo 2020, not Diaz. She needs to survive one of two more qualifiers to make it next year.
Gut feel tells me she’ll make it to Tokyo. Easily.