MARIKINA City – Western Visayas continued its gold medal haul in almost all sporting events and ended up as runner-up in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, which closed over the weekend at the Marikina Sports Center here.
The Blue Barons capped off the week-long competition with 60 golds, 45 silvers and 44 bronze medals to finish behind 16-time overall champions National Capital Region, which has 85-74-55 gold-silver-bronze.
Iana Angela Sotaridona, who is training under the Iloilo Kisela Knights chess program, contributed to the region’s gold medal haul by capturing two in the elementary girls category.
The 12-year-old Oton, Iloilo native notched her gold medals in the individual-standard category and team standard category (with Charlee Andrea Manjares). Negrense Jamelin Ruth Lim, meanwhile, bagged a bronze in secondary girls standard individual event.
The region also added to their arnis gold haul as Marc Alquin Canto, Kyle Angelo Tiron, and Paul Angelo Tiron emerged on top in the secondary boys synchronized solo weapon. Canto also won a bronze medal in the full contact event-half lightweight category.
In athletics, Ilonggo Christian Dominic Hubag notched two gold medals in elementary boys 800-meter run and 4×400 meter relay with John Christian Orosco, Winnie John Paclibar, and John Mark Pagdato.
Karen Bala-an, meanwhile, won a silver in elementary girls 800-meter run, while Kent Paul Burdan, Reezy John De Asis, Jhon Masuhol and Mico Villaran also placed runner up in secondary boys 4×400-meter relay.
Western Visayas also clinched two bronze medals in athletics from Masuhol in secondary boys 800-meter run and Ilongga Rhealyn De Costa in secondary girls shot put event.
In swimming, Negrense Anika Matiling won a gold in elementary girls 100-meter freestyle and a bronze in 4×100 meter free relay with Coraline Montalbo, Hyiana Kie Lamanosa and Zyra Villarino.
Negrense Earl Jude Buncio and Aklanon Jennuel Booh de Leon also won golds in secondary boys 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter freestyle, respectively, while Negrense Savannah Secuelan captured a silver in elementary girls 50-meter backstroke.
In badminton, WV got three golds in elementary boys doubles from Joelle Kryz Agura and John Carl Almencion, elementary mixed doubles from Nino Lope Puyat and Blessy Mae Villaflor and elementary boys singles from Tirrence Andrei Belera.
The delegation also got three badminton bronze medals from Winde Mae Mata and Vivienne Rej Villegas in elementary girls doubles, Cris Ivan Dosano in secondary boys singles and Khylle Agura in secondary girls singles.
Capiznon Menchie Kate Dizon, meanwhile, captured two gold medals in table tennis in elementary girls singles and elementary girls doubles with Negrense Zhera Elisha Jane Gavaran.
Leslie Faye Dizon, meanwhile, has two silvers in secondary girls singles and doubles with Nicole Gaspar, as Xian Raj Honrado and Joshua Miguel Banas also placed runner up in elementary boys doubles.
WV also got table tennis bronze medals from Samuel Agudo and John Brian Navilla in elementary boys mixed doubles, Ember Gicaro and Shaira Keziah Puentespina in elementary girls doubles and Dirk Atilano and John Canalin in secondary boys doubles.
In boxing, Negrense Leo Mhar Lobrido won the lone gold, Jerome Lopez captured a silver medal, while Kenshin Jake Arellano, Charly Tolosa III, Rodolfo Labang Jr., AJ Vicente and Khen Patrick Cutnada took home bronze medals.
In wushu, Guimarasnon Romy Marquez Jr. clinched a gold in secondary boys category, while Ilonggo Reshwin David Tero and Guimarasnon Abegail Galia nabbed a silver medal each.
In sepak takraw, WV got three silvers in regu team, elementary boys doubles and doubles competition and a bronze in secondary boys team event, while Ilonggo Anthony Bjorn Castigador won a silver in elementary boy tennis and Emanuel Pepito also ended runner up in wrestling./PN
