Filipino paddlers from the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) won the men’s 10-seater 200-meter race as well as the 500-meter event in the just concluded Asian Dragon Boat Championships in Dali, China.
With Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes at the helm, the Filipinos completed the 200m in 47.55 seconds, one full boat ahead of silver medalist Thailand (49.80 seconds). China placed third in 51.23 seconds.
They likewise ruled the 500m finale, also at the expense of Thailand, clocking two minutes and 10.30 seconds, slower than the team’s 2:07 during the heats but enough to bring home the ultimate prize.
Thailand timed 2:12.78, Myanmar finished third (2:14.12) and China wound up fourth, nearly five seconds after Team PH crossed the line.
PCKDF president Jonne Go said they would practically face the same set of rivals in the Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia, on Aug. 18 to Sept. 2.
“But we don’t want to be complacent,” said head coach Len Escollante. “We will train harder in order to achieve better clockings in time for the Asian Games.”
Fuentes and Macaranas got support from paddlers Jordan De Guia, John Lester Delos Santos, Oliver Manaig, Roger Kenneth Masbate, Reymart Nevadoo, Roberto Pantaleon, Jonathan Ruz and John Paul Selencio, Maribeth Caranto (steerer) and Patricia Ann Bustamante (drummer).
After the Asian Games, they will compete in the world championships in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sept. 9 to 13. They won three gold medals two years ago in Russia. —JUNE NAVARRO