Bigger MYG seen

The second Manila Youth Games came to a close last night with hardly any fanfare but with the promise of an even bigger, better and brighter future for the city’s thousands of young, gifted athletes.

Ali Atienza, chairman of the organizing Manila Sports Council, handed over the gold medals to the winners on the final day of the weeklong event that featured 14 sports disciplines.

"We’re very happy with this year’s result and we will plan for a bigger MYG next year, probably with more schools and more athletes competing," said Atienza, a former gold medalist in the Asian Taekwondo Championships.

Gold medals disputed on the hot and humid Sunday were in gymnastics, chess, volleyball and taekwondo.

Of the final-day winners, two gymnasts from A. Herrera Elementary School towered over the rest as they won four golds each at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex gymnasium.

Mage Wagan and Rizza Garcia, competing in the 12-under bracket, were unbeatable in the hoop, ball, rope and individual all-around events of rhythmic gymnastics.

In chess, District 1 and 5 bagged two golds apiece, leaving the other teams scrambling for the two other golds staked at the Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila.

Jude Emil Fronda and sister Jodilyn ruled the boys’ 12-under and girls’ 10-under for District 1, respectively, while Lehi Laceste of Paco and Ann Mendoza of Sta. Cruz ruled the boys’ 15-under and girls’ 12-under for District 5, respectively.

Results from volleyball and taekwondo were not yet officially released as of presstime.

At the close of the competition, there were other new faces that emerged as future sports heroes — like bemedalled tricksters Antonio Mendenilla, Daryl Ceballos, Joy Regillas and Analyn Ricalde.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said the city’s support to these promising athletes would go on as envisioned as he vowed to take care of their training and preparations for competitions on a national level.