By PR | 10:18 PM December 29, 2023
Bohol is making its mark as a sports tourism hub in the country with a remarkable showing in the recently concluded Batang Pinoy (BP) and Philippine National Games (PNG) 2023 last Dec. 17-22 in the National Capital Region.
The Boholano delegation garnered 33 medals including seven golds, 10 silvers, and 16 bronzes with 100 athletes across 17 sporting events.
Leading the way for Bohol was track and field star Diana Rysiamie Huraño with two golds and one bronze medal.
Huraño, who hails from Calape, beat two of her personal records in the long jump (5.79m to 5.90m) and triple jump events (11.87m to 12.19) on her way to two gold medals in the PNG.
To back up Huraño’s effort, Boholana swimming prodigy Kleone Mole bagged the most number of medals in the delegation with four – two silvers and two bronzes.
The Panglao native earned her place in the podium for the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m LC freestyle, and 200m individual medley events in the BP.
The other medal winners for Bohol were April Joy Alampayan of Tubigon, one gold, two bronzes in athletics; Ma. Emely Balunan, Garcia Hernandez, three silvers in athletics; Laura Luella Bernaldez, Dauis, one silver and twi bronzes; Juvelle Alexa Matnog, Garcia Hernandez, one silver and one bronze in athletics; Liznie Delfino, Baclayon,one silver and one bronze; Atanacio Pellicer III, Dauis, one silver and one bronze; Georich Cardino, Loay, one gold in cycling; Julia Xeanne Ouano, Dauis, one gold in weightlifting; Samantha Nicole Podot, Holy Name University, one gold in weightlifting; Rhea Marie Magparo, PMI Colleges, one gold in weightlifting; and Shella Jane Talaboc, Tubigon, one silver in athletics.
Daisymae Zerna, Dauis, one silver in weightlifting; Jhanah Mae Correa, Albur, one silver, taekwondo; Mark Lorenz Tutor, Candijay, one silver, chess; Dwyne Lopena, Dauis, one silver in cycling; Eraiza Cagay, Talibon, one bronze in karatedo; Eveline Van der Hoek, Panglao, one bronze in karatedo; Kenji Durano and Kirah Mari Laguitao of Dimiao, one bronze in dancesport; and Laiza Faye Amang, San Miguel, bronze in taekwondo.
This was Bohol’s best finish in the annual national games, more than doubling last year’s medal output with 13 medals.
The increase in productivity and efficiency is a testament to the overwhelming support given by the provincial government to the athletes before and during BP and PNG in terms of training, daily allowance, uniforms, cash incentives, competition supplies, medics and others.
The provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado has ably supported Boholano athletes to further promote and improve sports in the province as part of its Strategic Change Agenda. (PIMO/MALV)
