MANILA – Negrense Ara Rahbea Delotavo clinched a silver medal as part of Philippine relay team in the athletics event of the 2019 Arafura Games on Saturday in Darwin, Australia.
Delotavo, a product of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, joined Evangelene Caminong, Jessel Lumapas, and Eliza Cuyom in placing second behind Malaysia in the 4×100-meter relay.
The silver medal, however, was just one of the many medals the Philippine delegation won in the first day of the tournament, which is making a return for the first time since 2011.
Lumapas also got a gold medal in the women’s 400-meter run, as well as Abigail Manzano in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Delivering golds in men’s athletics were Nicko Caparoso (3,000-meter steeplechase), Bruce Fernia (javelin throw), John Lloyd Cabalo (400-meter run), Mark Anthony Casena (triple jump), and the men’s 4×100-meter relay of Jovanie Calixto, Romel Bautista, Jason Buenacosa and Cabalo.
In swimming, Lora Micah Amogius became the first double gold medalist for the Philippines after bagging the 13-14 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter individual medley, while Ivo Nikolai Enot won the men’s 13-14 100-meter backstroke gold.
Kaitlyn Irisha Mahril Diaz, meanwhile, delivered a silver medal for the Philippine delegation after placing second in the women’s -45 kilogram weightlifting competition./PN
