PH Army Dragon Boat Team wins gold in Italy

The Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team wins gold in the small boat category (200m) at the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crews World Championships held in Ravenna, Italy on Friday, Sept. 5. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Giorgo Minestrini

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has gained recognition in the international sports scene once more.

On Friday, Sept. 5, the Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team bagged its first gold medal in the small boat category (200m premier open) of the 9th International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crews World Championships in Ravenna, Italy.

The Army paddlers posted the lowest time record of 47.85 seconds in the finals of the said event. They competed with Germany, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates for the said category.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, the President of the Dragon Boat Team, described this category as their “favorite event.” In 2011, the Army Dragon Boat Team also posted a record of 53 seconds in the same category held in Tampa Bay.

“This is the event that has given Pinoy paddlers the brand as the fastest boat crew in the world,” Cabunoc said.

The 18-man Philippine Army team are set to compete again on Sunday for the 500m event.

About 100 teams all over the world are competing in several categories held from Sept. 3 to 7.

Cabunoc shared some scenes at the event on his Instagram account:

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