Philippine Sports News and Updates

ATHLETES GEARING UP FOR THE Beijing Olympics got a much needed boost after the Philippine Sports Commission approved their overseas training recently.

Archer Mark Javier topped the list when his five-month training in Cairo, Egypt, was approved as requested by the National Archery Association of the Philippines.

Javier will also hone his skills in the World Cup stages set in Croatia, Turkey and France, according to the PSC which was reportedly forking almost $20,000 for the stints.

Top hurdler Sheena Atilano was also given the green light to undergo training in Temecula, California, from February to June in a hope to snag an outright berth in the Beijing Games in August.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian Games legend John Baylon will lead six judokas who will take part in an extensive training in Japan from March 4 to April 20.

Joining Baylon are Gilbert Ramirez, Tomihiko Hoshina, Nancy Quillotes, Helen Dawa and Estie Gay Liwanen. They will also vie for Olympic slots in the qualifying event set April 23-28 in Jeju, South Korea.

The country is hoping to end a long gold-medal drought in the Summer Games.