KUCHING SARAWAK, Malaysia – Team Philippines collected two golds and one silver in the recently concluded Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2017 held at Kuching Waterfront here over the weekend.
The Philippines, represented by Boracay Dragonforce and the Boracay Dragonflies, won the gold medal in the women’s division, clocking in 2.04 seconds in the 400-meter event International 12 crew Ladies boat competition.
They also won the top prize in the 400-meter event International small mix team, while they bagged a silver in the 400-meter Masters.
“The Philippine team had overcome its competition, consistently ahead of the teams from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Thailand and India by over a boat in every heat,” coach Von Navarosa said.
This wasn’t the first time that the Boracay-based squads brought honor to the country. In the last four years, the teams copped a total of 18 golds, 10 silvers and five bronzes in different international commpetitions.
The squad faced some challenges in its Malaysia stint as the terrain, draw lanes and water condition are different than what they are used to in Boracay. The team had to adjust and come up with a different strategy to create a game plan that works with paddling against the river current, according to the team manager Thomas Mueller.
The team is currently celebrating its victorious campaign at Grand Margherita Hotel, enjoying a city tour generously provided by the Malaysian government.
They will return to the Philippines on Wednesday Nov. 15 where a congratulatory ceremony awaits them.