Davao archer shines in Davraa Meet

DAVAO. Davao City archer Davao Franceska Gacal is the most bemedaled athlete of the just-concluded Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2018 after harvesting all eight golds at stake in the secondary girls division of the archery competition held at the Davao Archery Club in Lanang Business Park, Davao City. (Contributed photo)
DAVAO. Davao City archer Davao Franceska Gacal is the most bemedaled athlete of the just-concluded Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2018 after harvesting all eight golds at stake in the secondary girls division of the archery competition held at the Davao Archery Club in Lanang Business Park, Davao City. (Contributed photo)

AN UNHERALDED Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) archer literally lorded over her rivals, harvesting all eight gold medals at stake in the secondary girls archery competition of the recently-concluded Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2018 held at the Davao Archery Club in Lanang Business Park, Davao City.

Franceska Gacal, 18, who hails from General Santos City, emerged champion in the 30-meter distance, 40m distance, 50m distance, 60m distance, single Fita round, Olympic round individual, Olympic round mixed team and Olympic round team events. Thus, she will compete in all categories in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2018.

Gacal competed in the Davraa meet for the first time as she used to play in the Soccsksargen Region Athletic Association (SRAA) Meet where the gold evaded her.

"Doon yung first game ko two years ago. Di ako nag-qualify for Palaro dun. First time ko po mag Davraa and mag-qualify din for Palaro. Last year kasi nag qualify ako for Davraa pero di po ako nakajoin kasi nagka-family emergency po," she recalled.

The multiple gold medalist also said that her sports-oriented family inspired and motivated her aim to reach the top.

"Sports-oriented kasi ang family namin. I have three older brothers who are black belters in taekwondo. I witnessed how much they excelled in their sport kaya I'm trying my best to excel in mine din since naging decision ko din naman po na ito ang sport ko and decision ko din to go to every tournament and shoot po," Gacal said, adding that prayer is her secret weapon in every game.

Gacal, a dedicated athlete, is also a consistent honor student, which according to her is "challenging."

Her mom, she said, drives her daily from her dorm after classes to Lanang Business Park where the shooting range of the Davao Archery Club is located.

"Also, may mornings pa na I'd go to Holiday Gym & Spa to for my cross-training sa swimming po. Kaya I'm thankful and blessed nga po for my mom kasi siya ang naga-drive sa akin every day and nag-aasikaso pa sa lahat ng needs ko," Gacal said.

Gacal, also a member of the World Archery Philippines, will compete in the Philippine Archery Cup this April.

"Aside sa pag-train ko po for Palaro, I will also train for it (Philippine Archery Cup) kasi 70-meter distance naman po yung event dun. If may games po naiinvite po ako, possibly, I will also join," she added.

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