Philippines wins first 2014 Asiad gold as Daniel Caluag tops BMX event
THE AIR UP THERE. Daniel Caluag, seen during the 2012 Summer Olympics, brought home the first gold for the Philippines at the 17th Asiad. Photo by Odd Anderson/AFP
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines registered its first gold medal of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea on Wednesday, October 1 as Filipino-American Daniel Caluag earned gold in the men's BMX race at the Ganghwa Asiad BMX Track.
Caluag finished with a count of 35.277 seconds in the first before following it up 35.366 seconds in the following round. In the final run, the former Olympian finished with a time of 35.431.
In the seeding run, Caluag finished at 35.486 seconds.
Daniel's brother, CJ, finished fourth in the competition, while Japan's Masahiro Sampei took home the silver medal. China's Zhu Yan was awarded the bronze as he finished in third place.
In addition to Caluag's gold, the Philippines has also won two silvers and four bronzes so far at the Asiad.
Senator Sonny Angara praised Caluag's victory in a statement, saying, "We join the Filipino nation in celebrating the gold-medal victory of Daniel Patrick Caluag in the BMX cycling event in 2014 Incheon Games. With remarkable skill and talent, he has demonstrated the Filipinos’ courage and resiliency in global athletic competitions. We also congratulate the Philippine Cycling Federation headed by Rep. Abraham Tolentino for its noteworthy development program that has brought off this achievement." - Rappler.com
