POOLED REPORT
INCHEON, Korea—Taekwondo jin Benjamin Keith Sembrano was rushed to the Jan Chok Medical Hospital outside of the 17th Asian Games Athletes’ Village on Monday after he complained of severe chest pains.
Sembrano checked in at the Philippine medical team’s clinic after breakfast, complaining of difficulty in breathing.
The -68kg bet was initially attended to by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) nurse Ellen Constantino who alerted team doctor Ferdinand Brawner about the first medical issue met by the medical team.
Brawner rushed from the sailing venue to meet Sembrano at a polyclinic where the athlete was first brought for emergency check up before he was sent to the Jan Chok Medical Hospital for further tests.
The medical team first suspected a possible chest fracture caused by the jins’ intense training before they set off to compete starting Tuesday.
But Brawner allayed fears Sembrano’s case was serious after further tests revealed normal levels on the athletes’ electrocardiography (ECG), blood and carbon dioxide levels.
Sembrano’s blood calcium level, however, was slightly on the high side but not abnormal, said Brawner.
“Nagha-hyperventilate siya when he was brought to the clinic,” Braner said.
“Baka na-dehydrate during training,” Brawner added. “But we are not taking risks, he will have to rest before he would be given the green light to train again.”
Constant monitoring of the athlete, said Brawner, will be undertaken to ensure Sembrano’s safety.
Sembrano had lunch and was made to rest upon his return to the Athletes’ Village early afternoon Monday.
