MANILA -- Karl Yulo now has company in the five-gold club in the Batang Pinoy National Finals as tankers Mark Dula, Aubrey Tom, and John Talosig and archer Aldrener Igot won their respective fifth gold medals on Wednesday.
The Cotabato Province native Talosig was the first to score his fifth gold, winning the boys 400-meter freestyle event at the Ramon Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City at the time of 4:20.03.
The Parañaque-based Dula then followed suit, taking home the 100-meter backstroke gold in 1:08.11.
Cainta's Tom then got her fifth gold medal by placing first in the 50-meter freestyle in just 28.93 seconds.
Meanwhile, Igot won three gold medals in the 40-meter, 50-meter, and FITA events to add to his wins in the 20-meter and 30-meter events.
Igot's stint in the Batang Pinoy nationals is not yet over as he will compete in the Olympic round, mixed, and boys team events, meaning he has a shot at going for eight golds.
“I’m hopeful I can win more,” said Igot.
Naina Tagle of Dumaguete, on the other hand, took the golds in the 40-meter, 50-meter, and FITA events in the distaff to add to her win in the 20-meter event.
Tagle had a shot for gold number five in the 30-meter event, but Sophie Manuel of Makati won the gold and Tagle settled for the silver.
Igot's three-gold haul helped Cebu City zoom up and lead the medal tally.
As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Cebu City now has 12 golds, 15 silvers, and 16 bronzes.
Pasig closely follows with 11 golds, 16 silvers, and six bronzes.
Quezon City and Davao City also have 11 golds each with the former also grabbing 10 silvers and five bronzes and the latter also having five silvers and 12 bronzes. (PNA)
