Qualifying to the Olympics a blessing in disguise, says shooter Valdez
By Carlo Anolin
Filipino shooter Jayson Valdez considers qualifying to the Tokyo Olympics a blessing in disguise after setting aside his plans to join the Philippine Army.
Call it a divine intervention of some sort, Valdez said the qualifiers have become a test of determination for himself as far as staying in the sport of shooting is concerned.
"Ang gusto ko lang po talaga sabihin is blessing in disguise talaga siya," Valdez said over Radyo Pilipinas 2 Friday, June 25, after almost shooting his way to the Tokyo Games. "Talagang binigay siya ni God para sa akin. Kasi kung hindi naman, sinong ibang puwedeng gumawa non, wala namang iba.
"Yes, nag-qualifiy ako, naipon ko 'yong score para makapasok sa Olympics pero hindi naman siya-basta-basta lang ibibigay ng kung sino man. Siguro talagang sinadyang ganon 'yong mangyayari na talagang susubukan ka muna para malaman mo kung ano 'yong puwedeng mangyari para sa'yo," added the 25-year-old gunslinger.
READ: Shooter Jayson Valdez admits having a dream about making it to the Olympics
Valdez booked an Olympic berth after making the minimum qualifying scores (MQS) for his participation in the World Cup and Asian qualifying tournaments in the men's air rifle 10-meter event.
Since 2015, the Army has been recruiting Valdez and it was only in January this year when he decided to set aside shooting to provide for his family.
But things turned out differently after receiving the good news of becoming the 12th Filipino to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
That said, Valdez isn't putting too much pressure on himself and vowed to take things slowly from this point as the Olympics kicks off on July 23.
READ: Physically fit Jayson Valdez optimistic of winning in Tokyo
"Siguro hindi po ako masyado nag-iisip kung ano 'yong mga next ko na dapat pang idagdag or ibawas kasi gusto ko na lang muna i-focus 'yong sarili ko sa kung ano 'yong dapat kong gagawin muna," said Valdez. "Step by step pa rin naman. 'Di ko kasi dapat pabiglain 'yong mga susunod kong gagawin."
Valdez is expected to receive additional training equipment such as spare guns and ammunition from the Philippine Sports Commission as he fires off training over the week. (