THE Philippines captured two gold medals in the 2018 International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Dragon Boat Championships in Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia.
The dragon boat team ruled the 10-seater senior mixed 500-meter and the 20-seater senior mixed 500m events to lay claim as the world champion in the competition.
The Filipinos, who were led by drummer Patricia Bustamante and steerer Maribeth Caranto, topped the 10-seater 500m event with a time of two minutes, 7.5 seconds to beat Hungary (2:11.36) and host United States (2:11.86), improving on their bronze medal finish in 2016.
The team from the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation also claimed the 20-seater 500m event with a time of 1:52.58, beating Hungary (1:55.09) and Czech Republic (1:55.14).
“They really wanted to prove something out there and they never lost focus despite the strong opposition,” said PCKDF president Jonne Go in a statement.
“We never doubted the team’s ability to win. Once again, they showed the world that we Filipinos are world-class in this sport,” said Go For Gold’s Jeremy Go, whose company bankrolled the team along with the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Philippines will go for a third gold medal on Saturday when the team led by Asian Games competitors Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes see action in the 10-seater men’s final. Mark Frias, Reymart Nevado, John Paul Selencio and Oliver Manaig are also joining Macaranas and Fuentes in the competition.
Women paddlers Raquel Almencion, Rosalyn Esguerra, Rhea Rhoa and Christine Talledo will be joining Bustamante and Caranto in the small boat mixed category.
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