PHNOM PENH, May 7 (PIA)-- The Philippines is targeting at least six gold medals in the medal-rich Kun Bokator event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games presently held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Paolo Tancontian, deputy chef de mission of Team Philippines and assigned as focal person of the martial arts events says they have nine Filipino athletes entered in the semifinals of the Kun Bokator event.

At least one Filipino Kun Bokator martial artist Angel Derla plucked a gold in the women’s single bamboo shield form during the Thursday (May 4) competitions held at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center.

“Hopefully ngayong araw manalo tayo papasok tayo sa finals (Hopefully today we will win and enter the finals),” Tancontian said.

He bared that yesterday (May 6) they formally protested the defeat of the two Filipino athletes who faced Cambodians in the Kun Bukator event.

“Sa awa ng Diyos na-grant naman protest natin nanalo tayo ngayon that’s why dalawang athletes natin pasok sa semifinals (With God’s mercy our protest was granted, we won that is why our two athletes entered the semifinals),” Tancontian said.

The nine Kun Bukator Filipino semifinalists are assured of a bronze medal but Tancontian said they will go all out for the gold.

“God permitting six gold medals pwede na (it’s good),” Tancontian said.

At least 21 gold medals are at stake in Kun Bukator an ancient Cambodian striking martial art. Tancontian said they have 21 Filipino athletes sent to the event. The finals will be held on May 8. (PIA/RG Alama)