MANILA – Asia Paraase of Region 7 (Central Visayas) topped the secondary girls 3,000 meters event to deliver the first gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa on Thursday.
The 17-year-old runner from Lapu-Lapu City clocked 10:27.36 in the athletics competition held at the Cebu City Sports track and field stadium.
Chrishia Ma Tajarros of Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) took the silver medal with a time of 10:39.72, while Mary Jane Pagayon of Region 11 (Davao) submitted 10.52.72 to settle for the bronze medal.
"Masaya po ako kasi pride na rin po ito ng Central Visayas. Payback na rin po para sa preparation nila. Masaya rin po kasi hindi lang din po kasi ito para sa akin kundi pati na rin po sa teammates ko (I am happy because this is also the pride of Central Visayas. It is also a payback for their preparation. I'm also happy because it's not just for me, but also for my teammates)," said Paraase, a student of Pajo National High School.
"Dine-dedicate ko po ito sa sarili ko. Ang dami pong challenges na hinarap, nawawalan na rin po ako ng hope sa sarili ko. Ang saya ko po dahil nagawan ko ng paraan para hindi ako kainin ng kaba at takot (I dedicate this to myself. I faced many challenges and also lost hope in myself. I'm happy because I found a way not to be consumed by nervousness and fear)," added Paraase, who started in athletics when she was in Grade 6.
Sharing the limelight with Paraase is Jayne Kirt Cantor of Region 3 (Central Luzon), who set a new tournament record in the boys elementary long jump event.
He registered 6.14 meters to erase the 6.04m established by Jeremie Tamles of Region 11 (Davao Region) in the 2002 edition of the Palaro in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
“Hindi ko po talaga ito inaasahan (I did not expect this),” said Cantor, who set the new record in his second attempt.
The Grade 6 student from Caanawan Elementary School in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija shifted from triple jump to long jump only this year.
The silver medal went to Khrispher Kyle Ngirngir of Region 6 (Western Visayas), who posted 5.63m. Ace Francis Bacongallo of Region 7 got the bronze medal in 5.59m.
In the boys secondary long jump, Sam Kenjie Bantillo of Region 6 (Western Visayas) won the gold medal in 7.09m, while John Patrick Patricio (7.04m) and Markson Astrero (6.85m) of Region 3 bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
In the discus throw, Courtney Trangia of Region 5 (Bicol Region) ruled the girls secondary category in 39.47m. Christine Diaz of Region 6 finished second in 36.41m followed by Heart Duarte with 35.61m.
Ariana Dawn Rabi of Region 1 (Ilocos) registered 31.21m to claim the gold medal in the girls elementary category.
Precious Rhoevie Andres of Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) pocketed the silver medal in 31.14m, while Sam Garcia of Region 4-A (Calabarzon) got the bronze medal in 28.76m.
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