JAKARTA, Indonesia – Daniel Caluag failed to defend his throne but still managed to snatch a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games BMX cycling event on Saturday, August 25. 

In the final, Caluag clocked in 35.842 seconds behind gold winner Yoshitaku Nagasako of Japan (33.669) and silver medalist Gusti Bagus Saputra of Indonesia (34.314).

The lone Philippine gold medalist in the 2014 Incheon Games delivered the country’s seventh bronze medal.

“I’m happy with the finish, I would have liked a better color, but any medal for the Philippines is definitely a good result especially on a world stage like this,” said Caluag.

The 31-year-old was the oldest competitor, but he continued to prove that he’s still among the best in BMX cycling. 

His bronze medal dismisses all speculations that he’s set to retire as he works as a nurse with a three-day-a-week schedule back in California.

“I’ve been putting the work in, started my preparations in January and eight months in of waking up 5 or 4 in the morning, whatever workout I need to do, I’ll get it done,” added the bemedalled rider

Caluag qualified for the final run after finishing third in his heat of the first two motos and second in the last moto.

His brother, Christopher John, fell short of qualifying for the final at fifth place in heat 2 of the men’s moto.

Filipina rookie Sienna Fines made it to the women’s final after snagging the last spot. However, she wound up fifth overall after clocking in 43.663 seconds. – Rappler.com