The city and province of Iloilo made their presence felt at the opening of the 2024 Batang Pinoy as they harvested medals in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Following his remarkable performance that led to a gold medal finish in the Palarong Pambansa 2023, Ilonggo jin Nathan Lee Dedal bagged another gold for Iloilo after a dominant performance in taekwondo.
The Iloilo MVP Taekwondo mainstay based in Dumangas, Iloilo ruled the tournament and bested athletes from Davao Occidental, Parañaque, Iligan City, and Quezon City in the Individual Poomsae category.
Ilonggo jumper Franklin Catera also used the old form that won last year’s Palarong Pambansa gold medal as he topped this year’s edition of Batang Pinoy.
The native of Tigbauan, Iloilo outmuscled 28 other athletes in high jump earlier today, leaping 1.98m, .03 higher than his Palaro record. He is coached by Darryl Parreño.
In chess events, woodpushers from Iloilo province dominated the opening day as they demolished other competing provinces in the country.
Iana Angela Sotaridona and Andrea Victoria Balbontin outsmarted other contingents in the team rapid and blitz events.
In addition, Iana Angela was also perfect in her five games with 8 total points edging contingent from Pasig City with 3.5 points in individual blitz event. The Iloilo province team was coached by Ronel Ballesteros.
Juila Sohlen Orada and Frenz Pasadilla had a tight game in the 100freestyle and 50m backstroke respectively. The Ilonggo aquanauts were just behind by milliseconds and got silver medals. The swimmers were coached by Lae Doren Marie Dutchilia.
Tennis is a sport known to be dominated by NCR athletes but Maria Alexandra Onte of Iloilo province fought hard to steal a bronze medal. The native of Pototan, coached by Erick Art Bautista, defeated her opponent in a battle for third place, 6-2, 6-3.
In archery, Iloilo province showed dominance in U13 category through the exploits of Gendy Magremy Plantig, April Joy Pacalto and Shela Marie San Juan.
All three gold medalists were proud archers of Barotac Viejo town and were coached by Ryan Antiporda.
In athletics, the Iloilo province U16 girls composed of Princess Mae Lachica, Regiea Riza Sorongon, Elaine Pastrana and Eyena Dhawn Cabalfin cruised to the finish line with 53 seconds beating Dasmariñas City and Leyte team in 4x100m relay to pocket the gold medal.
Meanwhile, the 4x100m relay U16 boys team got bronze. The team was coached by Rey John delos Reyes, Darryl Parreño and Eugene Molina.
The weeklong sporting events featured individual and team sports which are participated in by more than 70 local government units in the country.IMT Sports
