GAINESVILLE, Georgia—The Philippines got off to a rousing start on the world stage with a shiny gold medal in the 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.
Filipino paddlers, featuring Ojay Fuentes and Hermie Macaranas, topped the 10-seater senior mixed 500-meter race in two minutes and seven seconds in convincingly beating powerhouse Hungary by a full boat under sunny skies.
The Hungarians checked in almost four seconds slower (2:11.36) to settle for the silver medal while host United States placed third after arriving a split second later.
Drummer Patricia Bustamante led the cadence while steerer Maribeth Caranto efficiently navigated the Filipinos to a triumphant finish in the same event where they went home with a bronze medal in the previous world championships two years ago in Moscow, Russia.
The present time of the Filipino paddlers, whose trip was supported by the
Philippine Sports Commission and Go For Gold, broke the winning clocking of the Russians by two seconds in 2016.
Other members of the winning squad from the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation were Mark Frias, Reymart Nevado, John Paul Selencio, Oliver Manaig and lady paddlers Raquel Almencion, Rosalyn Esguerra, Rhea Rhoa and Christine Talledo.
With 16 of the best dragonboat countries participating, the Pinoy paddlers are going for a second gold medal on Friday (Saturday in Manila) in the 10-seater men’s 200m.
Thank
They captured three gold medals during the 2016 world championships in Russia.