Filipino paddlers inch closer to cherished World Games slot

A Team PH crew in action in Puerto Princesa. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO .

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Team Philippines already hit an all-time high with its gold-medal bounty at the ongoing International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championships.

But more than the pleasure of climbing atop of the podium multiple times, the Filipino paddlers are doubly thrilled to reach the World Games in Chengdu, China, next year.

“That’s our ultimate goal in this tournament. We certainly want to be at the World Games,” said PH team skipper Ojay Fuentes.

They’re actually on the verge of seizing that rare opportunity after generating a record yield of nine gold medals on Saturday.

A total of 10 spots to the World Games are being dangled by the ICF in this meet with the 27 countries participating scrambling to earn a piece of it.

Thriving at home, the national dragon boat squad likewise eclipsed its previous best of five golds in the 2018 edition of the worlds in Gainesville, Georgia, in the United States.

“I am very optimistic we will get more golds before this tournament is over with the World Games as the biggest prize,’’ said Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation president Leonora Escollante.

Overall, the Philippines has nine gold, 11 silver and six bronze medals with one more racing day left.

The Pinoy paddlers collected four golds the day before and added five more to its treasure trove, punctuated by back-to-back victories in the 500 meters courtesy of the 40+ women’s 20-seater in two minutes and 16.32 seconds and in the men’s 40+ open men’s standard (1:59.23).