Cebu paddlers carve history

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team made history after becoming the inaugural champion in the 200-meter small boat event of the paradragon division in the 14th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships yesterday in Pattaya-Rayong, Thailand.

PADS, composed of differently abled athletes, bagged two gold and two silver medals via the 200m and 500m events.

With no other opponents, PADS split into two groups in the 200m and 500m events.

In round 1 of the 200m, PADS-Team 1 logged in 53.923 seconds, while its Team 2 has as time of 55.348.

In the second round, the Cebuano paddlers improved their showing with their Team 1 registering 54.173 seconds, while Team 2 has 54.03, clocking.

Team captain Arnold Balais said that their goal is not only to win the inaugural gold in the 200m but also to set a record time that would be hard for other countries to break in the future.

“Ganda ng response ng ibang international teams sa amin. Bilib na bilib sila. Puwede nga daw kami ilaban sa regular category premier,” said Balais.

In the 500m small boat action, PADS-Team 1 clocked in 2:25.702 in the first round, while its Team 2 got a time of 2:25.709. The Cebu paddlers made a faster output in the second round with their Team 1 registering 2:23.799 followed by Team 2’s 2:28.404.

Together with Balais, PADS is composed ofJanice Aparri, Rocky Berdin, Jheffrey Dael, Jonathan dela Peña, Verniel Faustrilla, Jonard Paul Galo, BonJovi Guimayen, Gabrile Anthony Labra, Owen Loceno, Stephen Maglasang, Merryl Marie Maunes, Ramoncito Noguera, Eva Marie Noya, Emma Concepcion Redita, Marvin Renacia, Enrique Rafhael Sanchez, Jose Revel Sotes, James Tiu, Kent Tumangan, Marvi Joseph Ubay, Romar Valderama, Reymart Valleser, Denven Verano and Danilo Villardo. (FREEMAN)