THE Wrestling Association of the Philippines is bringing in top wrestlers from Russia and Canada to help in the training of the national team seing action in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

WAP president Alvin Aguilar said the opportunity to train with wrestlers from Russia and Canada is expected to boost the Filipinos’ chances in the biennial competition scheduled May 12-23 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“This is a great opportunity for our national wrestlers to train and learn with the best from Russia and Canada and I am thankful that they have agreed to come to the Philippines,” said Aguilar during his interview at the “Sports On Air” program via Zoom.

“The Russians will arrive in the second week of March while the Canadians will arrive in the first or second week of April. Our athletes need training partners as part of their preparations for the SEAG, “added Aguilar.

The WAP official said the Russian Wrestling Federation has agreed to send 10 athletes.

“The Russian federation will shoulder the airfare of their athletes while the WAP will provide the board and lodging,” explained Aguilar.

The 30-member Canadian wrestling team, on the other hand, will shoulder their airfare, food and accommodation during their stay in the country.

They (Canadian wrestlers) really go abroad to train. They’re supposed to go to Korea to train this year, but I was able to convince them to come here instead. Sabi ko sa kanila, sa La Union, may mountains, may waterfalls,” said Aguilar.

“Right now, I am not satisfied with our SEAG preparation since we don’t have training partners yet, so the arrival of the Russians and the Canadians can help a lot.”

Aguilar said he is still.waiting for the approval of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the team’s training in La Union.

“Actually, we’ve already prepared to spend Christmas in La Union. There, we have the mountains, we have a place to run. We have outdoor training and then our mats time as well, which is very, very important,” recalled Aguilar.

But Aguilar admitted the delay in getting the PSC approval was mainly due to the WAP’s unliquidated financial assistance.

“It’s not actually the PSC’s fault, because they are following regulations. There are still unliquidated amount from wrestling, but they are not during my tenure but from past officers.”

WAP is fielding an 11-man team, led by Fil-Am heavyweight Luke Cruz, to the SEA Games.

The Cruz-led national team is expected to match, if not surpass, the country’s haul of two golds, 11 silvers, and one bronze in the 2019 SEA Games.

The Filipinos finished second overall behind Vietnam, which had 12 golds and two silvers.

Thailand wound up third with two silvers and 10 bronzes and Cambodia had five bronzes.

In Hanoi, a total of 18 gold medals is at stake in the wrestling competitions to be held at the Gia Lam gymnasium on May 17-19.