FROM historic Olympic feats to record-breaking performances, Davao athletes made their mark, bringing pride to the region on both national and international stages.
Here's a look at SunStar Davao's top sports newsmakers in 2024, whose achievements will be remembered for years.
1. Nesthy Petecio
Davao City-born Nesthy Petecio made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg division and becoming the first Filipino boxer to win multiple Olympic medals. Despite a split decision loss to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the semifinals, which dashed her hopes of surpassing her silver from the Tokyo Games, Petecio’s achievement added to the Philippines' Olympic success.
Teammate Aira Villegas earned bronze in the women’s 50kg, while Carlos Yulo captured two gold medals in gymnastics. Petecio’s remarkable feat earned her substantial cash rewards, properties, and endorsement deals.
2. Sydney Sy Tancontian
Sydney Sy Tancontian of Davao City won a bronze medal in the women’s +80kg event at the 2023 World Sambo Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, improving from her fourth-place finish at the 2023 Armenia NOC President’s Cup. She also claimed a gold medal in the Dutch Open 2024 International Sambo Tournament held in the Netherlands, a bronze in the women’s +72kg division at the 2024 World Beach Sambo Championships in Morocco, and a silver in the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships at the Forum de Macau Stadium. In January 2024, Tancontian was elected chairperson of the FIAS Athletes’ Commission, marking a key achievement for the Pilipinas Sambo Federation.
3. Chino Sy Tancontian
Davao City's multi-sport champion Chino Sy Tancontian earned a gold medal for the Philippines at the 2024 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Nagoya, Japan, defeating Japan's Carpe Diem Hope in the thrilling male blue adult super heavyweight final. This victory adds to Tancontian's earlier golden finishes at the 2024 Grand Prix de Sambo de Paris and Dutch Open 2024 International Sambo Tournament held in the Netherlands.
4. FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
World Youth Blitz 2023 champion, Fide Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca, a 15-year-old chess prodigy from Panabo City, triumphed at the 18th Asian Schools Chess Championships, securing three gold medals. He also bagged four golds at the 16th Batang Pinoy National Championships and topped the National Youth and Chess School Championship in Isabela.
5. Sonny Wagdos
Former University of Mindanao (UM) athlete brought home two bronze medals for the Philippines at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024 in June. The 30-year-old clocked a season's best of 14 minutes and 36.79 seconds in the men's 5,000-meter run. He also claimed victories in the Galaxy Watch Manila Marathon 2024 (men's 21K), National Milo Marathon Davao Leg (men's 21K), and the Ilaollao Run Club Challenge 2024 (men's 5K), adding to his impressive list of achievements this year.
6. Davao Eagles
The Davao Region Eagles soared to fourth place at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, improving from last year’s sixth-place finish. With 32 golds, 25 silvers, and 35 bronzes, they were led by dancesport duo Francheska Dezzly Darvin and Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla, who claimed five golds.
7. Davao-bannered PH Team A
Philippines Team A, powered by Davao City athletes, emerged as overall champions at the 11th BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games, winning 31 golds, 39 silvers, and 22 bronzes. The swimming team shone brightest, with quintuple gold medalists Paolo Miguel Labanon and Philip Adrian Sahagun leading the charge.
8. Davao City's Batang Pinoy delegation
Davao City ranked fourth overall at the Batang Pinoy 2024 National Championships in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, with 39 golds, 44 silvers, and 34 bronzes, slipping one spot from its third-place finish in 2023. Cyclist Shyrah Mae Rizalado stood out with three golds in cross-country events, becoming one of the top Dabawenyo athletes.
9. Paolo Miguel Lim Labanon
At the Palarong Pambansa 2024, Paolo Miguel Lim Labanon clinched four gold medals, including a new record in the secondary boys' 800-meter freestyle. Earlier this month, he won five golds for the Davao-bannered Philippines Team A at the 11th BIMPNT-Eaga Friendship Games swimming competition in Palawan. Labanon also dominated the 2024 Epic Island Adventure Race 8K Certification Swim in Britania, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, in May.
10. Lorenz "FrankenSpikes" Datiles
Lorenz Datiles’ “Frankenspikes” made waves when his coach shared his story on Facebook. Despite wearing worn-out, stitched-up spikes, Datiles won five gold medals at the Davraa Meet 2024, surpassing his personal bests and qualifying standards. His success led to a varsity scholarship at the University of Santo Tomas and his debut at the 13th ASEAN School Games in Vietnam.
Davao athletes' hard work and dedication have made 2024 a year to remember. The region continues to shine, and we look forward to even greater achievements in the years to come. MLSA