ShareThisMANILA — The Philippine Dragon Boat Team brought pride to the country by harvesting five gold medals and two silver medals in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa, Florida.
The Philippine team, known as the Pinoy Dragon Warriors, also set a world record in the international boat racing event.
Maj. Harold Cabunoc, the Army deputy spokesman, said the Philippine team won gold medals in the 1,000 meter Premier Open Men’s Event; 500 meter Premier Open Men’s Event; 500 meter Premier Open Mixed Event; 200 meter Premier Open Men’s event; and the 200 meter Premier Open Mixed Event.
The Pinoy Dragon Wariors also won two silver medals in the “AC All Comers Event” wherein the team faced the reserve paddlers of powerhouse dragon boat teams from Great Britain, Russia, and Australia.
Filipinos in Florida rooted for and assisted the Pinoy Dragon Warriors as they wowed other contestants from other countries.
Malacanang immediately congratulated the team. The Senate and the House of Representatives readied their resolution congratulating the team of soldiers from the Philippine Navy, Army and Coast Guard.
“Allow me to extend our congratulations to our Philippine Dragon Boat Team. Nag-compete po sila sa Florida and I understand they broke the world record to get the world title,” Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team won the first gold in the 1,000-meter men’s event against Australia and Hungary.
“We wish them well. We wish them good luck and we exhort our kababayans to support our Philippine Dragon Boat Team in the same way that we have supported our Azkals and all our other teams,” she added.
The deputy spokesperson also urged the Filipino people to continue to support the team, noting that most of the 12-man Philippine Dragon Boat Team are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Reports later from Florida stated that The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team won their fourth and then their fifth gold medal in the world championships.
The ‘Dragon Warriors’ triumphed in the 500-meters mixed event in the small boat division, besting Hungary and Trinidad and Tobago, according to ABS-CBN News.
In heat 1, the Dragon Warriors immediately stamped their class, coming in 1st place with a time of 2:28.
In heat 2, the Hungarians gave the Dragon Warriors a challenge, but the Filipinos once again ended up in 1st place.
In the 3rd and final heat, the Philippines reigned again. With precision paddling, they topped the race and took the gold medal.
Their opponents had nothing but praise for the Filipinos.