TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- A 20-year-old tanker from DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCSP) led Davao City’s gold medal haul in the Prisaa Davao Regional Meet swimming competition at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex here Tuesday.
Kierl Suazo, a third year BSMT student who hails from Polomolok, South Cotabato, topped the college men’s 50-meter freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley events.
Suazo timed 26.10 seconds in the 50m freestyle, to race past Jaymark Ayag (32.99) and Jhun Rabanillo of University of Mindanao-Davao del Norte Prisaa (33.48) who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
Suazo clinched two golds in the 2017 National Prisaa Games held in Iba, Zambales in men’s 50m and 100m freestyle.
“Specialty jud nako ang freestyle (Freestyle is my specialty),” he said in an interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday.
He cited “hard work and discipline in training” as key factors of his victory in the regional qualifying for the national meet set on April 21 to 28 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where he eyes to duplicate or even surpass his performance in Iba.
“Target nako sa Bohol tulo or upat ka golds (I aim for three to four golds in Bohol),”he added.
Suazo also said that he dreams of becoming a seaman and help his family.
UM Davao’s Fritz Rodriguez, for his part, collected four golds in secondary boys category. He ruled the 50m freestyle over Selwyn Rex Cirunay and Blu Cabilete.
Rodriguez also lorded over his rivals in 100m butterfly, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.
Eiron Vibar of Apo Learning Village, meanwhile, copped for golds for Davao City. He emerged champion in secondary boys 200m butterfly, 400m IM, 1,500m freestyle and 400m freestyle.
Others who will advance to the nationals are women’s college - Shanine Castillo, Debbie Garcia, Khrystelle Estares, Elgee Fernandez, Gillian Tuazon, Syntche Jean Espiritu, Archelle Pero, Jenny Rose Bilbao; men’s college - Dannyone Kasim, John Peter Apas, Reynard Beciera, Ian Estares, Joshua Gulayan, Jayson Bajado and Jaime Llubit.