Gotuaco hits mark in Arizona archery

MANILA, Philippines - Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco, a cadet archer playing in older junior class, enhanced her promising career by winning the gold medal in the 70m women’s recurve in the Arizona Cup in Phoenix, Arizona last week.

A multi-medalist at Batang Pinoy, Gotuaco, 15, bucked the wind and the scorching heat as she humbled a tough field to score 319 points and capture the gold in the 70m women’s recurve (after 144 arrows) in the Junior Category for 18-20 years old.

The lone Philippine representative in the tournament, Gotuaco, a silver medalist in the US State Games of America, also took home the bronze medals in 50m (301 points) and overall Fita score (1263).

It was another remarkable feat for last year’s Palarong Pambansa champion, who also dominated the Cadet division (14-17 years old) in last year’s 128th US Nationals in Hamilton, Ohio.

Seeking more exposure and experience, Gotuaco competed in the Arizona meet, one of the four US national ranking tournaments and considered a world ranking event, which drew over 400 archers, including top recurve Olympians and Mexican Olympic silver and bronze medalists Aida Roman and Mariana Avita, respectively.

Gotuaco, one of the 11 Filipino athletes who were given a three-week sports scholarship at St. Bede’s College in England last year, also wound up fourth in 30m (330 points) and fifth in 60m (315).