A TOTAL of 43 wrestlers were selected to compete for Davao City in the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships slated November 27 to December 2 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Wrestling regional coach Paolo Tancontian, during Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at The Annex Events Center of SM City Davao, said he sought promising athletes from different schools in Davao City.
"No need na ang selections sa wrestling kasi nga 60 categories ang paglalabanan, so short pa tayo ng players," Tancontian said, adding that he is still currently looking for the remaining 17 athletes to complete the wrestling contingent.
He also said that they already started training at the Holiday Gym and Spa every Sunday in which he is teaching the basic fundamentals like ukemi (falling), saying: "Priority kasi natin yung safety ng mga athletes."
Tancontian added that the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office will only shoulder 10 boys and 10 girls but they will find ways to bring everybody else to Tagum.
Tancontian's multi-athlete daughter Sydney, who is currently based in Manila as varsity scholar at the University of Sto. Tomas,
will see action if it will not be in conflict with any schedule of her team.
Meanwhile, his son Chino, a Batang Pinoy medalist, will join the judo eliminations set on October 29.