PH paddlers win 2 golds in Taiwan Dragon Boat Championships

The Philippines conquered the prestigious Taiwan International Dragon Boat Championships with two gold medals in the 200-meter mixed team event.

The Filipino paddlers ruled the 20-seater and 10-seater races where they toppled host Chinese Taipei in a closely fought contest at the Fu-Lu river in Changhua county in Taiwan.

They clocked one minute and 56 seconds in the standard boat while topping the race in the small boat in 50 seconds.

Taiwanese paddlers, however, dominated the longer distances for both the 20-seater and 10-seater events after crossing the line ahead of the field in the 500-meter distances.

Canoe-kayak specialists Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes led the Philippine dragon boat squad, which used the races as preparations for the Asian Championships in Puerto Princesa City two months from now.

Coach Len Escollante said the Pinoy paddlers placed second behind Chinese Taipei in the 500m full boat and wound up third in the small boat category.

“Taiwan is a strong team when it comes to mixed events even in the world championships,’’ said Escollante, who coached the squad with Diomedes Manalo. “These races allowed us to size them up prior to the Asian championships that we will be hosting.’’

Other members of the team are Sheryl Caang, Rosalyn Esguerra, John Frias, Alex Generalo, Glaiza Liwag, Oliver Manaig, Reymart Nevado, Daniel Ortega, Jonathan Ruiz, Christian Urzo and siblings Paul and Michael Silencio.

Also joining them at the medal podium were Robin Santos, Angela Avanila, Patricia Bustamante, Jordan De Guia, Maribeth Caranto, Fernan Dungan, Franc Feliciano, Rea Glore, Roger Masbate, Fe Niuda, Rhea Roa and Robin Santos./rga