MANILA, Philippines - Binalewala ng Cobra-PAL Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) team ang lahat ng hamon upang kumopo ng apat na gold medals sa apat na divisions ng 12th International Dragon Boat Fede-ration (IDBF) World Championships na ginanap sa Welland, Ontario, Canada kamakailan.
Ang kulang sa tao na team ay nanalo sa 200m at 500m mixed categories para sa small boat event.
“We have once again showcased Filipinos’ inherent world-class talent that we are built to endure, survive and succeed in global competitions. The whole team channeled their Tunay na Lakas para sa Pilipinas,” sabi ni PDBF president Marcia Cristobal.
Matamis ang tagumpay na ito para sa Cobra-PAL PDBF team dahil wala ang iba sa kanilang mainstays sa koponan matapos ‘di makakuha ng visa.
“That the team competed and emerged victo-rious even without the complete lineup is a testament of their true strength embodied by perseverance in the face of challenges, determination despite all obstacles and resolve in the face of competition,” sabi ni Hubert Tan, senior vice president ng Commercial of Asia Brewery Inc. na gumagawa ng Cobra energy drink.
Umalis ang national paddlers sa bansa noong Lunes na target lang ang tatlong gold. Pero tinalo nila ang mga kalaban mula sa Macau, Hungary, Italy at Puerto Rico para makopo ang 500m premier mixed crown sa pinakamabilis na oras na 4:26.942.
Nakuha rin nila ang senior A mixed title sa kanilang best time na 4:53.905.