Ilocos belle keeps crown with Palaro record throw

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines  – Ilocos Region’s Stephanie Cimatu claimed her usual cozy spot in the annual Palarong Pambansa  at the top of the podium in the secondary girls’ javelin throw division – with a record-breaking performance in Day 1 of the athletics competitions here yesterday.

Cimatu, a 17-year-old lass from Bangui, Ilocos Norte, threw the spear to a distance of 41.27 meters in the field of the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Sports Complex to run away with her third straight javelin mint over Western Visayas’ Evalyn Palabrica (38.42 m) and Connie Cajelo (36.44 m).

It was another day at the office for the Asian Youth Games silver medalist, who actually obliterated the Palaro mark (39.72 m set by Central Visayas’ Melva Quirino) twice when she posted 41.27 m on her fourth try and 41.20m the next time.

“Malaki ang tiwala ko sa aking sarili kaya hindi na ako na-surprise na nakagold at Palaro record (I had huge faith in my skills so this win and record didn’t really surprise me anymore),” said Cimatu, who recently graduated from high school at the Luzon National High School in Pagudpud.

 Cimatu tries to extend her golden feat today in the girls’ secondary shot put, one of the seven gold events on schedule in Day 2, and while seeking to bounce back from her eighth place finish last year in Tarlac.

Western Visayas made the biggest mark on the field events, topping the boys’ secondary shot put in record-setting fashion and annexing the long jump play, but defending National Capital Region flexed its muscle and routed the opposition in the team and individual all-around events of women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG).

WV’s Ralph Efraem Gesulgon hurled the iron ball to 13.68 meters to beat teammate Richee Joy Cabanyog (13.48 m) and Garry Santiago Jr. of NCR (12.78m). Gesulgon’s effort at the 6-kg shot put eclipsed the 21-year 13.19m standard Western Mindanao’s Arthur Enon set at a time the Palaro used senior-category balls weighing 7.26m.

Gerald Mark Layumas made a winning leap of 6.86m to beat Julian Leem Fuentes of Cagayan Valley (6.85m) and Neil Bunag of Davao (6.77m).

Ma. Christina Onofre copped her second straight WAG individual all around (IAA) plum to lead an NCR sweep of the IAA and tow the Big City contingent to the team championship over at the Polanco Municipal Gymnasium.

Onofre scored 35.6500 points while teammates Kristel Marriel Punzalan and Raya Angela Nazario had 34.900 and 34.6500 scores to complete a 1-2-3 finish. The Big City bets assembled 105.2000 points to retain the team title over Region IV-A Calabarzon (92.8500) and Central Luzon (85.800).

The fancied NCR bets are expected to make a big spash in other fronts as well, especially with swimming competitions firing off today with eight golds at stake in the secondary division.

NCR’s elementary delegates stormed off to a blazing start with a clean sweep of WAG. Led by gold medalist Rachel Arellano (33.3500), NCR gymnasts shut out their opponents in individual play and claimed the team crown (96.300 points) with plenty to spare against Central Visayas (87.500) and Cotabato (86.1000). Francine Balburias (31.55) and Jullian Eunice Reyes (31.30) were the individual silver and bronze medalists for NCR.