Army awards medals to 'world's fastest dragon boat crew'

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army on Friday conferred military merit medals to the members of its Dragon Boat Team, considered the fastest in the world.

In a statement Monday, the Philippine Army said the recent win of the team at the 9th International Boat Federation Club Crews World Championships in Standiana Bacin, Italy earlier this month was particularly notable.

"For the Army paddlers, the win had been more glorious this year because they carried solely the name of the Philippine Army in a world competition for the first time," the Army said.

At the competition, the crew outpaced 25 other competing teams in the 200-meter category and broke the 53-second world record in the same event by posting 47.85 seconds.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri confers medal the to 17-man Dragon Boat team on Friday, September 19. Army IO

In the 500-meter event, meanwhile, the team was faster than the 28 other crews, nailing the world record by clocking an all-time best record of 2 minutes and 6 seconds.

The Philippine Army said it "takes pride in its soldier-athletes that possess world-class skills."

Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri awarded the medals to the the 17 members of the Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team.