ILONGGO James Lozañes, 17, from Estancia town made a stunning performance in the 2017 Asean School Games in Singapore after setting a new record to win the gold medal in the javelin throw event.
Lozañes, a Grade 11 student of Estancia National High School, registered a distance of 66.39 meters in the 700g javelin, eclipsing the previous record of 62.28m set in 2015.
Moreover, he also set a new Philippine record after registering 66.36 meters, erasing his 2017 Palarong Pambansa record of 59.46 meter last summer in Antique.
It was indeed a magical end to the Ilonggo thrower in the Asean meet.
“I never expected to surpass the recent record,” said Lozañez, who is playing in his first international competition. I was extremely happy hearing our national anthem being played during the awarding rites,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Philippines girls basketball also demolished host-Singapore in the finals, 82-32 to claim the crown.
The young Filipinas were in a very comfortable lead at the half with 49-17 before extending advantage to 47 points going to the playoff period, 67-20.
For Negrense coach Denden Velez, who have two players in the Philippine 18-under women’s basketball team, Kentjane Pastrana and Princess Fabruada, thanked everyone who prayed and supported them.
“My players here learned a lot. They will raise the bar of competition back home. And this will really motivate other players to work harder on their game,” he said.
Both are mainstays of Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School in Silay City, Negros Occidental and part of the Negros Island Region champion team.
“I can say that with my players in the team, even ordinary girls from the province can compete and be part of the national team through hard work. Girls’ basketball in Negros is now on the map. I hope to help some more players back home. Give them the opportunity that these two got,” he added. (HGD)