BACOLOD City – An 11-year-old para-athlete from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental won three gold medals in the recently concluded Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet 2025 in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.
Zach Lucas Obsioma once again proved his dominance in the pool by securing three gold medals competing in the orthopedically handicapped (OH) category.
Obsioma triumphed in the 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter breaststroke events, making him the only Cadizeño para-athlete to achieve this remarkable feat.
He bagged the same number of gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 editions of the WVRAA Meet.
Additionally, he brought home two gold and one silver medals from the 64th Palarong Pambansa held in Cebu City in July 2024.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. hailed Obsioma as a “modern sports hero”, who continues to defy odds, among other challenges as a person with disability (PWD).
“He is resilient, brave and determined, thus worthy of emulation,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Cadiz’s badminton team also made an impressive showing at the regional sports meet, securing multiple medals across various categories:
Secondary Boys
* Lovic Javier (Singles) – gold
* Cris Ivan Dosano (Singles) – silver
* AJ Laurence Jurada and Reynier Dalimo-os (Doubles) – gold
Secondary Girls
* Alexis Repetillo (Singles) – gold
* Valerie Marcial and Marionet De Dios (Doubles) – gold
Secondary Mixed Doubles
* AJ Laurence Jurada and Blessy Faith Engle – gold
Elementary Boys
* Ryan John Broniola (Singles) – gold
* Theo Jude Depositario and Joshua Layao (Doubles) – gold
Elementary Girls
* Blessy May Villaflor and Ydrianna Balista (Doubles) – gold
Elementary Mixed Doubles
* Ryan John Broniola and Blessy May Villaflor – gold
Javier expressed his deep gratitude to his coaches, parents, and above all, his faith in God for guiding him to victory.
“Isa lang gid pinaka-importante sa tanan, salig lang sa Ginoo kag salamat sa akon coaches kag parents,” he shared.
Assistant coach Jordan Sun also extended his appreciation to all those who supported the Cadiz delegation, including Mayor Escalante, the City Council, Schools Division Superintendent Arlene Bermejo, Coach Ernesto Layao Jr. of Cadiz Jaguar Badminton Academy (JBA), Department of Education coaches, school principals, and the dedicated athletes.
“This win is a testament to our collective effort. We all played a part in making this happen. I am incredibly proud of everyone! To God be the glory,” Sun said./PN
