Fajardo shines in Indonesia m'bikefest

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano businessman-sportsman Zandro Fajardo made his second mountainbike stint abroad a memorable one after he emerged as champion in the Specialized Asia-Pacific Downhill Challenge 2012 over the weekend in Cikole, Mt.Tangkuban Peraju, Bnadung, West Java in Indonesia.        

Fajardo, who placed only 12th in a race in Singapore two months ago, came out the fastest in the masters C division, beating 29 other entries including those from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia and host Indonesia.

Interestingly, the motocrosser turned downhiller suffered a crash that left him at 15th place during the seeding run.

In the face of cold weather and slippery tracks due to the heavy downpour, Fajardo bounced back with savvy and gave his all in the final run.

Fajardo negotiated the 1.7-kilometer high speed track with the best time of three minutes and 13 seconds.

The OZ Racing owner Fajardo outsmarted Malaysia’s Tom Jee by just a tick of the clock, while Indonesia’s Didi Handoko wound up third with a 3:21 clocking.

Unfortunately, Fajardo’s protégé, JR Barba, failed to make a podium finish. He ended up just 22nd in the elite division after suffering a bad fall in one of the toughest sections of the race course.

Another Cebuano participant in Christopher Miraflor finished 12th overall in the youth category.

Cebu Lady Dragons triumph, but men's team falters in rugby tourney

The Cebu Lady Dragons etched their names in stone after becoming the first ladies open champion of the Pot Bellied Pigs Cebu 10’s International Rugby Festival last Sunday at the Cebu International School (CIS).

The Lady Dragons snared the crown after edging out  the Seoul Sisters of Korea in the final via a 12-5 decision.

The Low Flying Eagles, on the other hand, trounced the Manila Hapons, 10-5, to claim the Dragons Claw title.

It was not all jubilation though for the hosts as the Cebu Dragons fumbled in the premiere men's division.

The Cebu Dragons advanced into the final after beating the Nomad Bulls, 7-5, but crumbled at the hands of the Alabang Eagles, 28-0, in their championship battle.

In the other categories, the Sabah Warriors of Malaysia drubbed the Nomad Bulls, 21-12, to clinch the Dragon's Ball crown, while the Nomad Carabaos whipped the Beijing Aardvakrs of China, 8-0, to wrest the Dragon's Tail plum. — (FREEMAN)