MANILA – Athena Tashcuh Sonota delivered a gold medal for Team Philippines in the 2022 Japan Mountain Bike Cup on Saturday at the Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan.
The Bacolod City native reigned supreme in the women’s junior-cross country Olympic category after finishing her race at one hour, three minutes and 12 seconds for 20 points.
Sonota, who was trained by legendary bikers Nino Surban, JR Barba and Ilongga Ariana Evangelista, said she was thankful for the opportunity to represent the country in the Japan meet.
“I wanted to thank God for everything,” Sonota wrote on her Facebook page. “Two categories have only one registered rider—women’s Under-23 and the women’s juniors in which I joined.”
“We found out when we arrived that the track is so gnarly that even local young riders don’t dare to race there. It was 10 folds than what we have at home races,” the University of St. La Salle Grade 12 student added.
“I am so blessed with the opportunity given to be here. Currently, I am the 1st and only women’s junior rider who raced here after the Tokyo Olympics. I am just so happy that I finished the race and cleared the course,” she further said.
Sonota, a standout of the Kambya Dos Racing Team-Official, also dedicated her gold medal victory to the Filipinos who were inundated by the tropical storm Paeng, which also inundated several parts of Western Visayas over the weekend.
“This is a little positivity in spite of all the things that happened back home,” the Bacolodnon rider said. “To all the victims, I am praying for you. I am dedicating this victory to you all.”
Marco Antonio of Kambya Dos Racing Team also expressed elation over the victory of Sonota, who competed in the international stage for the first time after dominating the Negros scene.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her as Tash truly bleeds Kambya Dos orange from the core,” Antonio said. “Her win is also significant to the cause and aspirations of the Negros cycling community.”/PN
