0
0
EXPERIENCE prevailed as top junior swimmers dominated their respective events even as cyclist Aristen Aricela Ardice Dormitorio claimed the Games’ first gold medal on Monday at the start of the 2023 Batang Pinoy National Games in various parts of Metro Manila.
Multi-titled and national junior record holders Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Jamesray Michael Ajido shared the limelight in the first day of action at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center in Malate, Manila topping the girls 17-under and boys 14-under 200m Individual Medley, respectively.
Coming off from a month-long training in California, Mojdeh dubbed ‘The Water Beast’ and competing under the banner of Team Paranque was timed 2 minutes and 28.18 seconds beating his closest rival Lora Amaguis from Davao City (2:31.04).
A two-time SEA Age Group gold medal winner and holder of four national junior marks, the 14-year-old Ajido of Mandaluyong City topped his age bracket by clocking 2:15.30 against Ansthon Jose of Sta. Rosa (2:18.82).
Up-and-coming junior swimmer Kacie Gabrielle Tionko from Negros Oriental joined early winners with her triumph in the girls 200m IM 15-under clocking 2:31.95 beating SEA Age group campaigner Arabella Taguinota of Pasig 2:33.99
Over at the Tagaytay City Centrum, the 12-year-old Aristen Aricela Ardice Dormitorio made history by claiming the first gold medal in the event for athletes 17-under and organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC),
Dormitorio, the younger sibling of MTB (mountain bike) multi-medalist Ariana, completed the 30-minute, three-lap race in an impressive 45 minutes and 48.4 seconds, outpacing eight other competitors and proudly representing the Quezon City LGU squad.
“Masaya po. Meditate and prayers po kasama sa preparation ko,” said the Hope Integrated School student, who devoted significant time, training five hours a day, six days a week for her events.
Mirroring her older sister Ariana, Dormitorio is transitioning from mountain biking to road cycling and eagerly anticipates participating in the ITT, MTB XCO, and XCE events to bolster her medal count in the cycling competition under the supervision of Philcycling.
Bagging the silver and bronze medals were Yvaine Oasias and Ysabel Nicole Jamero of Iloilo, respectively.
In the boys’ division, Jhaykarl Ophir Macapagal Nuaez from Quezon City clinched the gold, with Kyle Jabat Florez of General Santos City and Marc Jerenz Atienza of Calapan securing the silver and bronze, respectively.
The multi-event competition for 17-year-olds and below, organized annually by the Philippine Sports Commission, witnessed another standout athlete with an impressive sports pedigree.
Meanwhile, Matthew Diaz, the nephew of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, excelled in the 12-Under Boys’ 37Kg weightlifting category.
Making his first stint in an organized competition, Diaz lifted 41kg in the snatch and 55kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 96kg and securing Rizal Province’s first gold in the weightlifting event of this meet held simultaneously with the Philippine National Games.
“Nakakanerbiyos po kasi unang sali ko pa lamang po. Sinabihan lang po ako ni ate Hidilyn na huwag matakot at isipin ko po na nasa ensayo lang po ako kaya nakayanan ko,” shared the 12-year-old Diaz, mentored by Hidilyn and her husband Julius Naranjo.
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Edward Hayco pose with the winners in the weightlifting event of Batang Pinoy.
The renowned husband-wife tandem has recently established a weightlifting gym in Jala-Jala, Rizal, dedicated to nurturing young weightlifters for international competitions.
Zamboanga City also showcased its dominance in the sport as Adrian Bucol, a Grade 6 student at Zamboanga City National School, lifted a personal best of 103kg (45kg snatch and 58kg clean and jerk) to claim the gold in the 12-Under Boys 32Kg category.
“Pinaghandaan ko po talaga ang makasali dito sa Batang Pinoy,” expressed Bucol, dedicating his gold medal to his parents and aspiring to become an Olympian like his idol, Hidilyn.
The 3×3 basketball set records in Batang Pinoy history, with 123 teams participating in 3×3 basketball for boys and girls, and 2,400 individual swimmers in the swimming events.
This year’s edition of Batang Pinoy features 25 sports, including kickboxing and breaking, which are making their debut in the PSC’s premier grassroots sports program.
Average Rating