BATANG PINOY 2016 multiple gold medalist Matthieu Adrien Tao led Davao City's medal harvest of 13 golds, 12 silvers and three bronzes at the start of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2017 swimming competition at the Mati Centennial Sports Complex in Mati City, Davao Oriental Tuesday, March 21.
Tao, a Grade 6 graduating student of Stella Maris Academy of Davao (Smad) pocketed two golds in elementary boys swimming. He clocked a total of 28.03 seconds to clinch the 50m freestyle gold over Blu Cabilete of Tagum City (28.81) and Ivo Nikolai Enot (29.34) of Davao City who took the silver and bronze, respectively.
He followed it up with another golden finish in elementary boys 100m backstroke, checking in at one minute and 8.44 seconds to race past Enot (1:12.13) and Ronnel Gerald Cucharo of Tagum City (1:28.59).
Tao, in an interview with Superbalita, said he aims to sweep all the golds of his seven events in the regional qualifying for the Palarong Pambansa.
"Gusto ko mag-graduate na may seven golds dito pero I'm not sure, I will do my best. Depende sa time ko, malalakas na kasi ang mga kalaban ko," he said.
The Batang Pinoy champion has been training with coach Haroon Cali of Holiday Gym and Spa.
Other Davao City's swimming gold winners were Naiki Samantha Gonzaga (elementary girls 50m breastroke), Julian Marien Villanueva (elementary girls 100m backstroke), John Martin Yarra (secondary boys 100m butterfly), Alyssa Hesed Raut (secondary girls 100m butterfly), Lara Micah Amoguis (elementary girls 100m butterfly), secondary boys 4X50m medley relay team of Yarra, Dave Jones Andebor, Alhaber Saimodin and Josiah Paul Lozano, elementary girls 4X50m medley relay team of Joanna Gonzales, Ahlea Rhunette Ancajas, Alissa Ysabelle Lazarraga and Martha Marie Montaño and secondary boys 4X100m freestyle relay team.
In athletics, Pablo Lorenzo National High School 10th grader Jims Ceballos annexed the secondary boys 800m gold. The son of Joel, a foreman, and Jocelyn, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait, had to run shorter distances in his second Davraa stint due to a left foot injury. He competed in 3,000m and 5,000m run events last year.
"Karon mas gipili nako ang 800 ug 1,500 na lang kay makaya lang, pag-abot og last 50m diha nako mopaspas og maayo. Karon mag-Palaro na gyud ko, akong i-improve akong skills (I preferred running in 800m and 1,500m as I only have to sprint in the last 50 meters. I will race in the Palaro and I'n hoping to improve my skills)," he said.
Arnisador Jollah Baruiz of Magallanes Elementary School copped two golds in individual solo baston and individual double baston. Chrisxelyn Familar of Bolton Elementary School salvaged a silver in individual espada y daga.
Juven Ceasar Duco also won an individual espada y daga gold as teammate Dolland Feb Apas got silvers in solo and double baston events. (with Marizz S. Robilla)