EVEN before the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association officially opened, 26-time reigning overall defending champion already scored two gold medals, which sets the tone for this weeklong sporting conclave in Dumaguete City.

Cebu City gymnast Leanne Marie Manning stole the limelight Sunday, February 17, after snatching the delegation's two gold medals in the rhythmic gymnastics event, winning one gold each in the free hand and rope events, at the Negros Oriental State University (Norsu) gym.

The secondary and elementary sporting meet, organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) will go full swing on Monday, Feb. 18. Yesterday, delegates from 19 divisions competing in various sporting events joined in the opening ceremony at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum.

Vying for top honors are athletes from Cebu City are Cebu Province, Mandaue City, Bogo City, Bohol Province, Tagbilaran City, Carcar City, Lapu-lapu City, Siquijor, Toledo City, Danao City, Talisay City, City of Naga, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Bayawan City, Guihulngan City, Tanjay and Bais.

Aside from gymnastics, the other regular sports to be contested in are athletics, arnis, archery, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, volleyball, wrestling and wushu.

The medalists in the event will represent Region 7 in the Palarong Pambansa in Davao City this summer.