Archers right on target

Taipei—Xena Hendra Chomapoy bested Poland’s Magdalena Smialkowska, 6-2, in the women’s recurve individual Sunday to tow fellow Filipino archers Shanaya Dangla and Loren Chloe Balaoing into the next round at the 29th Summer Universiade here.

The 19-year-old Chomapoy, representing University of Cebu, barged into the round of 24 against Alexandra Longova of Slovakia.

Dangla and Balaoing, both of University of Baguio, drew opening round byes at National Taiwan Sport University to advance with Chomapoy.

The archers compensated for defeats suffered by Team Philippines in other fronts.

Clark Cuico lifted a total of 210 kilos to place 14th in men’s 56kg weightlifting held at Tamkang University Gym.

He raised 90 kg in the snatch and 120 kg in the clean and jerk to surpass the efforts of China’s Cheng Peng (195 kg) and Sri Lanka’s Milinda Senarathna (162 kg), but was way short of winner Yun Chol Om of North Korea who cleared meet records 129 kg (snatch), 155 kg (clean and jerk) and 294 kg (total).

Monique Dimaisip, Team PH’s lone diving bet, placed 29th in the women’s 1m springboard competition won by Russia’s Maria Polyakova with 264.65 points. Dimaisip amassed 182.95.

The Filipinos got swamped over at the pool as the five swimmers they fielded failed to advance at Taiwan Sport University Arena.

Ryan Anthony Dimayuga, Isabella Olivarez, Roger Giron and Drew Benett Magbag, all of the Philippine Swimming League, and Alliah Saliendra of the Visayas; faltered as action in the 141-nation biennial event officially started.

Dimayuga clocked 1:10.68 in men’s 100m backstroke topped by Estonian Daniil Latt, Olivarez timed 2:30.11 in women’s 200m backstroke ruled by Hong Kong’s Erica She Wing Lau, while Saliendra posted 38.05 in women’s 50m butterfly topped by Mozambique’s Jannat Firdosse Bique.

The times of Giron (50m butterfly) and Magbag (100m breastroke) were unavailable at press time.

A total of 130 athletes in the 12-day competition are battling for 275 gold medals.