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Lucena swimmer, Masbate sprinter unstoppable in Batang Pinoy

By Jean Malanum

December 20, 2022, 8:39 pm

<p><strong>TRIPLE-GOLD MEDALIST</strong>. Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate (far right) competes in the girls' 400-meter dash in the PSC-Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday (Dec. 20, 2022). She won the race for her third gold medal. <em>(Photo courtesy of PSC)</em></p>

TRIPLE-GOLD MEDALIST. Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate (far right) competes in the girls' 400-meter dash in the PSC-Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday (Dec. 20, 2022). She won the race for her third gold medal. (Photo courtesy of PSC)

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur – Swimmer Julian Lowers De Kam of Lucena City and sprinter Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate province continued to punch impressive performances after bagging another gold medal in the penultimate day of the Philippine Sports Commission-organized Batang Pinoy national championships here.

The 15-year-old De Kam claimed his fourth gold medal after ruling the boys’ 400-meter freestyle in four minutes and 26.03 seconds at the Quirino Stadium pool

He defeated Evenezir Polancos Jr. of General Santos City, South Cotabato (4:26.54) and Meynard Geoff Marcelino of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan (4:40.01) who settled for silver and bronze medals, respectively.

De Kam earlier won his first three golds in the 100m butterfly, 200m and 1500m freestyle events.

Lucena City's other gold winners were Kristian Yugo Cabana (boys' 12 and under 200m Individual Medley, 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle) and Peter Cyrus Dean (boys' 13-15 years old 50m backstroke and 200m backstroke.

Meanwhile, Compuesto displayed her awesome form anew in athletics after dominating the girls' 400-meter dash for her third gold medal.

Compuesto finished the race in 1:00.63 to prevail over Bohol’s Ma. Emely Balunan of Bohol (1:02.51) and Wella Mae Coronado of Olongapo City, Zambales (1:04.67). She also won the 200m and 4x100m relay.

Marc Angelo Cabiluna of Misamis Oriental secured his second gold medal after posting 13.34 meters in the boys’ triple jump. Masbate’s Jonathan Bellosillo won the silver medal in 13.27 meters while Prince Philip Canja of Imus City, Cavite registered 12.48 meters to settle for the bronze.

Other winners were Loraine Audrey Batalla of Calamba City, Laguna (girls’ 3000-meters), Masbate's Ana Bhianca Espinilla (girls' javelin throw), Cejay Murillo of Victorias (boys’ 2000-meter steeplechase) and Pi Durden Forward Wangkay of Binan City, Laguna (boys’ 400-meter) and the girls and boys 4x100-meter universal relay teams of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, cyclist Maritanya Krog of Caloocan City ruled the girls’ 13 and under road race to pocket her third gold medal after her triumph in the criterium and individual time trial events.

Krog, 13, posted the best time of 58:16.725 to conquer Iloilo City’s Maria Louisse Crisselle Alejado of Iloilo City (58:17.966) and Jhanah Osias of Calapan, Mindoro (58:17.966).

Gwen Stefani Ponio of Davao del Norte won the girls’ 14-15 years old category while Jerick Cabael of Pangasinan bagged the gold medal in the boys’ 13 and under category. (PNA)


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