MP hurler wins first meet gold in Caraa

LUNA, APAYAO -- A carpenter’s son snatched the first gold medal of the 2013 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) while the home province bagged their first gold medal in the 1500-meters run.

Twelve-year-old Vincent Mayames had a 9.92 meter throw of the shotput to win the gold in the elementary division as the regional game formally opened Tuesday morning with Senator Francis Escudero gracing the occasion as guest of honor and speaker and was joined by senatorial candidate Grace Poe Llamanzarez.

Ifugao's Rehiel Nabus snatched the silver with a heave of 9.44 while Oliver Calixto's 9.00 throw was good for bronze in the elementary division.

"Kaya ko sanang ibato ng mahigit 10 meters kaso masakit lang braso ko kasi nag-asaran kami ng mga kasama ko kaya nasuntok," said the Otucan Norte Elementary School student.

Mayames is joining his first regional meet after being encouraged to join by his adviser Jovelyn Diaten.

Apayao’s April Ann Laguintay became the latest running hero for the host province after eclipsing her rival in the 1500-meter run elementary girls division.

Laguintay clocked five minutes and 35.55 seconds to win past two Baguio veteran runners in Anica Saydoquen and Maryjoy Bewat, who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

Mt. Province runner Lemuel Licuben came up with another gold after Mayames feat by ruling the 1500-meter run for elementary boys with a time of five minutes and 19.19 seconds with Abra’s Romarick Trinidad and Yussef Lorana of Baguio settling for silver and bronze.

The 1500-meter run in secondary saw Ike Kevin Yagin of Baguio City winning with a time of four minutes and 40.40 seconds while Erwin Generalao of Baguio City and Kerwin Lomyong of Mt. Province took the silver and bronze respectively.

In the distaff side, Agustina Anganayon was the fastest with a time of five minutes and 34.60 seconds while Sunshine Biyong had to settle for bronze with Kalinga’s Kyra Dinag salvaging bronze.

Apayao formally opened the annual regional sports meet with 5,000 delegates coming from the six provinces and one city at the newly constructed Apayao Sports Complex.

Senator Escudero, together with Llamanzarez, Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. and Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang led the simple cutting of ribbon to open the complex coinciding with the opening of the Caraa.

It is the first time the province of Apayao is hosting the annual event in its 18 year existence as a province since separating from the Kalinga-Apayao province.

“Eighteeen years ago, Luna was known as a battle field because of Marag Valley, today, after 18 years, Luna will once again be a battle ground, not because of cessation but because of sports,” said Apayao Vice Gov. Hector Pascua.

Bulut for his part also welcomed participants for the six day meet saying the province has always hoped that through the annual sports meet, the region can foster sports development among our young and facilitate the discovery and honing of potentials of the Cordillera.

“Through the staging of this meet, we can find in our midst a Cordilleran we can all be proud of in the mold of a Manny Pacquiao and Lydia De Vega,” added Bulut Jr.