THREE Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Palarong Pambansa wushu gold medalists have been invited to the national team after topping their respective events in the tournament held in Antique Province late last month.
Kent William Alcala, Jeah Alexis Narra, and Roni Marielle Santiago helped in the Davraa wushu team's Palaro haul of four golds and two bronzes.
Alcala, who accepted the offer to join the national team, clinched the gold in secondary boys’ 48-kilogram event.
"First time nako nag-Palaro. Nag-expect ko na maka-bronze lang ko kay puros dagko ang akoang nakalaban pero pag-abot sa finals, nakaingon ko na makaya man diay nako," the Mintal Comprehensive National High School (MCHS) student, a son of a tricycle driver, said during Thursday's Davao Sporstwriters Association (DSA) Forum at the NCCC Mall Davao B3 Center Family room.
Alacala said his parents permitted him to join the national team as long as he finishes his studies. He is just awaiting the call from Manila wushu officials.
Narra of Tagum National Trade School (TNTS), for her part, said it was an honor to win the gold in secondary girls -48kg category being a first-timer in the annual school-based sportsfest. She did not qualify in last year's Palaro having only settled for silver in the regional meet.
Narra, accompanied by coach Kim Junel Gregorio, declined the national team offer as her partents just want her to focus on her academics.
Santiago, 17, of the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu), for her part, decided to stay in Davao City to focus on her studies since she'll be turning Grade 11 this coming school year.
She won the secondary girls -56 kg gold. She used to play taekwondo and judo but focused on washa sanda instead. She also won a taekwondo gold in the city elimination but chose to compete in wushu sanda during the Davraa Meet.
Alcala and Santiago are currently training in the King's Sword Martial Arts at the Metro Lifestyle Fitness Center under chief instructor Nell Jone Astudillo.