Back-to-back Olympics for Biana Pagdanganan, while a much-awaited Olympic Games debut looms for Dottie Ardina.
Bianca Pagdanganan gets another shot for her Olympic moment.
Pagdanganan, alongside Pinay golfer Dottie Ardina, are the latest additions to Team Philippines in the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Pagdanganan and Ardina made it to Paris after staying inside the top 60 of the women's Olympic rankings that ended on Monday, June 24.
The 26-year-old Asian Games bronze medalist was ranked no. 35, while Ardina placed at 55th in the International Golf Federation ranking, enough to be part of the 60 golfers seeing action in the French capital.
This marks Pagdanganan’s second straight appearance in the Olympics, where she aims to improve on her 43rd place finish from Tokyo 2020.
Pagdanganan was then joined by Filipina-Japanese Yuka Saso in Japan’s capital three years ago.
This time, they will meet again but as competitors after Saso, a two-time US Open Ladies champ, dropped her Philippine citizenship in 2021 and now represents Japan.
Saso is ranked sixth in the Olympic qualifiers.
The 30-year-old Ardina actually previously qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but she was forced to pull the plug due to the threat of the Zika virus.
Members of the Philippine contingent already in Metz for a month-long training are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Ceniza; boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, and Nesthy Petecio; as well as rower Joanie Delgaco.
[ALSO READ: ‘All systems go’: Team Philippines begins training camp in Metz, France just a month before Olympics]
@onesportsphl DAY 1 STARTS NOW 🏋???? The #Paris2024 grind begins for our Filipino weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, and Vanessa Sarno in Metz, France! #OSOnTheSpot #Paris2024 #100TaongLaban #ParaSaBayan 🎥 Anj Bicers, Gener del Mundo
? original sound - OneSportsPHL
Story summary:
- Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina secure spots on Team Philippines for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, ranking 35th and 55th respectively in women's golf.
- Pagdanganan, a returning Olympian, aims to improve upon her 43rd place finish from Tokyo 2020.
- Ardina rejoins the Olympic stage after missing Rio 2016 due to the threat of the Zika virus.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]