YOUNG TALENTS. Archers compete in the Batang Pinoy-Philippine Youth Games at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex baseball stadium in Manila on Friday (Dec. 22, 2023). The tournament for athletes 17 years old and below is part of the country's grassroots development program. (Photo courtesy of PSC media pool)
MANILA – Baguio City dominated taekwondo and judo to stay on course to defending the overall title in the Batang Pinoy-Philippine Youth Games held in various venues in Metro Manila.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, the three-time champion City of Pines has collected 32 golds, 25 silvers and 40 bronzes to remain on top of the medal tally of the Philippine Sports Commission-organized tournament for athletes 17 years old and below.
Kate Julliane Cortez (Individual Cadet Female); Caleb Angelo Calde (Individual Cadet Male); Acey Kiana Oglayon (Individual Junior Female); Jaidev Nicolas Montalbo, Marcus Jared Maquiray, and Ryan Cliftin Nabejet (Team Male Cadet); Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay and Calde (Mixed Pair Cadet); Aesha Kiaa Oglayon and Jonas Sales (Mixed Pair Junior); and Kate Julliane Cortez, Trisha Lobbonan and Dacanay (Poomsae Team Female Cadet) triumphed in the taekwondo competitions at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Baguio judokas likewise delivered five golds at the Olympia Community Center in Makati City.
Archer Chass Mhaiven Nawew Colas added two golds coming from the male 60-meter recurve and 1440-round recurve. He topped the 30-meter recurve and 40-meter recurve events on Thursday.
“My goals always when I compete is to beat myself, to become a better person. I don’t expect to win all the time, I just enjoy the games, but I’m still surprised when I win,” the 14-year-old Baguio City National High School student said.
He was scheduled to compete in the Olympic Round, Mixed Team, and Team events later in the day.
Baguio City also garnered nine gold medals in the kickboxing competitions a Araullo High School in Manila, courtesy of Janna Mae Tinay (Kicklight Juniors Female 42.1-46kg); Shekinah Jonan Lab-oyan (Kicklight Juniors Female 501.-55kg); Lorenzo Iseo Jr. (Kicklight Juniors Male 47.1-52kg); Jeyhan Bestre (Kicklight Older Cadets Male 37.1-42kg); Gerwin Lete (Kicklight Older Cadets Male 47.1-52kg); Leejohn Masedman (Kicklight Older Cadets Male 52.1-57kg); Klerhol Cabinto (Point Fighting Young Cadets Female 32.1-37kg); Stephanie Lipiano (Point Fighting Young Cadets Female 37.1-42kg); and Clark Fattit( Point Fighting Older Cadets Male 28.1-32).
Pasig City is running second with 25 golds, including six from swimmer Arabella Taguinota, 27 silvers and 40 bronzes.
Cebu City is third with 20 golds, 15 silvers, and 21 bronzes followed by Davao City (20 -14-16), Zamboanga City (18-6-5), Mandaluyong City (17-12-15), Quezon City (16-19-26), Parañaque City (13-11-9) and Taguig City.
The top five local government units will receive cash prizes as follows: PHP5 million (champion), PHP4 million (2nd), PHP3 million (3rd), PHP2 million (4th), and PHP1 million (5th). (PNA)
