Davao City captures girls shot put gold

MATI, Davao Oriental--Five-foot-three Nova Bele Tega averted a shutout for Davao City when she bagged the team's first gold medal at the start of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2010 athletics competition at the Mati Centennial Sports Complex here Thursday.

Tega's golden performance in secondary girls shot put came on the heels of the city's gold medal drought in long jump and 800m run events.

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"Para sa akong pamilya ug sa Ginoo akong pagdaug sa bulawang medalya. Ikaupat na nako ning dula sa Davraa. Igo ra ko nag bronse miaging tuig (This is for my family and for God. I won the gold at last after just getting a bronze last year)," Tega said.

Tega, a fourth year student at Do¤a Carmen Denia National High School in Toril, first started as a volleyball player in elementary. But she said she became weary with the rigid training in the volleyball team.

The youngest child of Juanito, a farmer, and Rosabella, a housewife, Tega said she was lured into athletics. She said she is more fitted in the throwing events.

She added in the vernacular: "I'm really big (laughs) so I can't run. I'm better off with throwing. I am enjoying myself with my events. I never regretted my choice of sports."

Tega, who was still seeing action in discuss throw as of press time, said she hoped she can make it as a Palaro finalist in Tarlac.

"I've just been to Davraa meets and never made it to the Palaro. Now that I've got the chance, I will do my best even just to make it to the finals," Tega said.

She confessed that Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) had invited her this early to join their varsity team when she graduates from High School, alhough she has yet to make up her mind on the offer.

Tega, however, is decided to take up a Criminology course.

When asked about her greatest dream as an athlete, Tega was quick to reply, "I want to make it to the RP team." (MLSA)