RP's Wang ranks First in wushu at the Beijing Olympics

BEIJING, Aug. 22 (PNA) -- Former world champion Willy Wang ranked first with one round to go in the 29th Olympic Games wushu competitions at the Olympic Sports Center.

With First Gentleman Mike Arroyo watching along with some friends and several members of the Filipino community here, Wang submitted 9.74 points in the first round of the two-round nanquan or forms event to lead rivals from 20 other nations.

The event is being held as a special or exhibition sport, meaning the medals won will not be counted in the official medal standings.

The entries from Brazil, Macau and Chinese-Taipei were running second, third and fourth with scores of 9.72, 9.71 and 9.70, respectively.

Another Filipino bet, Marian Mariano, assured herself of the bronze medal by making the semifinals in the sanshou or combat event where she’ll meet an Iranian.