Raph Trinidad flaunts his skills during a promotional shoot in Palawan. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CHENGDU, China—Cable wakeboard star Raph Trinidad is ready to make waves as the Philippines kicks off its campaign in the World Games, which opens on Thursday in this Chinese megacity.

Trinidad, 23, will not only carry the flag—alongside wushu ace Agatha Wong—at the opening ceremony, but also the hopes of the local wakeboarding community when he competes on Aug. 8 at the Sancha Lake Taohuadao Arena.

“I am deeply grateful for the incredible honor and opportunity to showcase to the world that Filipinos have the talent and spirit to excel in wakeboarding,” said Trinidad, who trained at Deca Wakepark Clark in Pampanga in preparation for the Games.

“While I can’t predict the outcome, one thing is certain—I will give my absolute best. This is for my family, for everyone, and for the wakeboarding community,” he added.

Trinidad is part of the second batch of the 47-strong Philippine delegation arriving on Tuesday, along with Wong, wushu teammate Jones Inso, and wake surfer Eric Ordonez, who will fly in from Hong Kong.

The World Games, an 11-day tournament celebrating non-Olympic sports, will feature thousands of athletes from around the globe competing in venues across Chengdu, including the lotus leaf-shaped Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre and the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Gymnasium.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino named Trinidad and Wong as flag bearers for the traditional parade of nations.

The men’s floorball team was the first to arrive Sunday and is scheduled to open its campaign against Latvia at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Wakeboarders Trinidad and Ordonez aim to advance to the semifinals, while Wong and Inso begin their taolu events the same day.

On Wednesday, a larger group—featuring the 12-man dragon boat squad, muay thai fighter Rudzma Abubakar, and duathlon veteran Kim Mangrobang—will check into the Athletes’ Village, known as “Chengdu Home.”

World-class cue artists Rubilen Amit, Chezka Centeno, Jeff de Luna and Asian Games jiujitsu medalists Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis are set to follow on Friday.