PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- John Lloyd Calubag, who already bagged a gold medal in boys 13-15 padded stick junior lightweight division padded stick, aims to be the second Dabawenyo to be a triple gold medalist in the ongoing Batang Pinoy 2019 National Championships as Davao City struck for five more golds Wednesday afternoon, thus, raising the arnis team’s total to six golds and four bronzes as of 12 noon Thursday, August 29.
Swimmer Liaa Margarette Amoguis was the first triple gold medalist among Davao City’s athletes.
Calubag, 15, a Grade 10 student of the University of the Immaculate Conception, dominated his opponent from Mandaue City, 6-1, in their championship match.
“Naunhan ra nako sya sa first hit, nagtuloy-tuloy na. Nanguha ra ko og timing (I hit him first and followed it up. I just found the right timing),” the two-time Batang Pinoy Mindanao champion said in an interview with SunStar Davao yesterday at the Robinson’s Place, the venue of the arnis competition.
He was set to play in the live stick individual and team competition as of yesterday presstime. “Kumpyansa ko nga kaya nako og duna koy salig sa akong mga kauban sa team event (I am confident I still can win my remaining events. I believe in my teammates),” he said, adding that this would be his final Batang Pinoy stint as he would no longer be eligible to play next year
Jesah Mae Tomakin of Davao City National High School(girls 10-12 cadet A lightweight), Sherhalee Bulaso of DCNHS (girls 10-12 cadet B lightweight), Julia Cassandra Sarate of Magallanes Elementary School (girls seven to nine cadet A lightweight) and John Clefford Anajao of MES (boys seven to nine cadet A lightweight) also clinched golds for Davao City.
DCNHS eighth grader Jollah Baruiz, 13, who first snatched the arnis team’s first gold in junior girls traditional individual solo baston, said she resumed training after her silver finish in the Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying in Tagum City. “Gipreparahan jud nako ning national (I really prepared for this),” the Boulevard resident said.
Bulaso, a Grade 7 12-year-old DCNHS student, said she faced quite a tough challenge against a finals rival from Taguig City.