THE Philippines accomplished a historic feat on the world stage after collecting five gold medals to seal the overall title in the 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships.
The national paddlers from the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation capped their scintillating performance with a victory in the 10-seater senior men’s 200-meter race to surpass the country’s best finish six years ago.
Slicing through water with super fast strokes, the Filipinos rushed to the line in 47.39 seconds, leaving Italy (49.58) and Hungary (49.87) by almost a full boat in their final race of the four-day tournament at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park here.
Those five gold medals and two silvers shadowed the five-gold, one-silver collection that the Philippines achieved in the 2012 edition of the worlds in Milan, Italy.
“I was a part of that team that did it in Italy,’’ said coach Diomedes Manalo in Filipino. “I knew these kids are special, so I’m not surprised when they beat the previous record.”
Veterans Mark Jhon Frias, Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes were consistently quick from the get-go along with John Lester Delos Santos, Oliver Manaig, Reymart Nevado, Lee Robin Santos, Jordan De Guia, Roger Masbate and John Paul Selencio.
With less than 50 meters left, drummer Patricia Bustamante and steersman Maribeth Caranto then signaled them to pour it all as they surged to the finish past the Italians.
All of them were teary eyed when the Philippine flag was raised and the national anthem played for the fifth and final time during the awarding ceremony.
“All the hard work paid off. This is for our country,’’ said headcoach Len Escollante. (PR)