JANIL Labrado of the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Tagum captured the first gold medal of the athletics competition Thursday, January 26, in the first State College and Universities Athletic Association (Scuaa) Regional Olympics 2017 that opened in Davao City Wednesday evening.
With all the strength he could muster, Labrado heaved the iron ball to a distance of 10.58 meters in his sixth and final attempt in men's shot put held at Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology grounds in Barangay Dahican in Mati City.
He bested Dennis Bench Cabusas of Usep Obrero-Davao City and Remark Jill Allego of Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (Spamast) who instead took the silver and bronze, respectively.
Cabusas registered 8.90 meters in his fifth attempt while Adilan made 8.85 meters in his sixth try.
Trailing behind were Berlino Edilan (8.46m) of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology and John Rey Miguel (7.42) of Spamast.
Labrado hails from Laak, Compostela Valley and is a third year Bachelor of Acience in Agricultural Engineering student.
His coach Roger Inansugan, in an interview with SunStar SuperBalita, said he was not surprised that Labrado won.
"Expected na namo," the coach said, saying that Labrado was also a gold medalist in the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary School (Masts) Meet held in Tandag, Surigao del Sur last year.
Labrado will next focus on the Pasuc National Olympics 2017 in Batangas City next month.
DOSCST thrower Rona Ruth Duque stamped her rivals in the distaff side as she recorded 8.89 meters for the gold. Usep Obrero's Cindy Olden (5.98m) pocketed the silver while Chrizel Lozano of Usep Tagum (5.95m) ended up with the bronze.
Duque, also a Masts Meet 2016 champion, is from Baganga, Davao Oriental. She first played volleyball but she learned the ropes of shot put when she studied at DOSCST.
"Didto misugod ang akong pagdula ug wa ko nagmahay (I played shot put since then and I did not regret it)," she said, adding that she will continue preparing for the nationals as well.
Also seeing action in the sportsfest are Compostela Valley State College, Davao del Norte State College and University of the Philippines Mindanao.
Archery, arnis, badminton, baseball, basketball, chess, football, futsal, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, dance sport, beach volleyball, and swimming are also entered. (With report from Seth delos Reyes)