DESPITE their failed world title bid in One Championship and Pacific Xtreme Combat, mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters Kevin Belingon and Police Officer 1 Crisanto Pitpitunge will be cited by in the annual Kafagway Sports Awards set on February 20.
Belingon and Pitpitunge will receive the top MMA fighters of the year plum in the 30th anniversary edition presented by the National Correspondents Club of Baguio in cooperation with the City of Baguio.
Divine Wally will receive the Athlete of the Year award after her golden performance in the biennial 13th World Wushu Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia last year.
The University of the Cordilleras College of Accountancy student is set to receive the award of February 20 at the Silungan Center Social Hall, CSWDO office in Upper Session road.
Joining Wally is golfer Fred Puckett who will receive the Athlete of the Decade plum who has been leading Baguio’s charge in the annual Fil-Am International Golf Tournament held November up to December.
The trio of Ken Omengan, Spenser Bahod and Thornton Lou Sayan whose individual performance in several international events last year place the country in the medal row will be cited Wushu Players of the Year.
Body builders Reynold and Leigh Domalsin, archers Kareel Meer Hongitan and Loren Chloe Balaoing, lady boxer Jujeath Nagaowa, and lady MMA fighter Gina Iniong wuill also be cited for their sterling performance in their respective sports.
Also in the list are ultra – marathon runners Marcelo Bautista and Sandi Menchi Abahan, including paralympians Agustin Kitan, Jaime Mangiga and Augustina Bantiloc.
Veteran wushu internationalist Daniel Parantac, who during the past years spearheaded the Philippines to several gold medal finishes and turned to coaching last year was named Coach of the Year 2015 while athletics coach Arturo Alimbuyao of Baguio City National High School will get the Coach of the Decade medal.
UB’s top wood pusher Haridas Pascua who is hunting down his International Grand Master norm is cited as the most promising athlete of 2016 while Fernando Eleponga, DepEd Baguio City PE supervisor will get the Sportsman of the Decade award. (RO)