The City of Baguio could be heading to a fourth straight overall championship as it continues to pull away from the rest of the field in the 2023 Batang Pinoy medal standings.
Living up to its reputation as the country’s martial arts capital, Baguio turned to its traditional goldmine in combat sports and also found a gem in a young archer.
Baguio bagged seven golds in taekwondo and five in judo late Thursday to boost its gold tally to 32, with 25 silver and 40 bronze medals.
Delivering for Baguio in poomsae events were jins Kate Julliane Cortez in the individual cadet female, Caleb Angelo Calde (individual cadet male) Acey Kiana Oglayon (individual junior female), while Jaidev Nicolas Montalbo, Marcus Jared Maquiray and Ryan Cliftin Nabejet joined hands for the team male cadet gold.
Also rising to the occasion were Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay and Caleb Angelo Calde in the mixed pair cadet; Aesha Kiaa Oglayon and Jonas Sales in the mixed pair junior; and Angelyn Yvainne Dacanay, Kate Julliane Cortez and Trisha Lobbonan in the poomsae team female cadet.
Meanwhile, Chass Mhaiven Nawew Colas pocketed two more golds in archery for Baguio topping the 60-meter recurve and 15-under 1440-round recurve to raise his gold production to four.
He ruled the male 15-under 30-meter recurve and male 15-under 40-meter recurve events earlier in the day.
Colas had the chance to increase his gold haul to seven as he was to compete in the Olympic round, mixed team event, and team events late Friday, the final day of the Philippine Sports Commission’s premiere grassroots competition for 17-year-olds below.
Baguio City’s official tally is expected to rise even more after nine kickboxers delivered gold-laden performances in the kicklight and point-fighting finals early in the morning.
Winning their events were Janna Mae Tinay (kicklight juniors female 42.1-46 kilograms), Shekinah Jonan Lab-oyan (kicklight juniors female 501.-55kg), Lorenzo Iseo Jr. (kicklight juniors male 47.1-52kg), Jeyhan Bestre Kicklight (older cadets male 37.1-42kg), Gerwin Lete (kicklight older cadets male 47.1-52kg), Leejohn Masedman (kicklight older cadets male 52.1-57kg), Klerhol Cabinto (point fighting young cadets female 32.1-37kg), Stephanie Lipiano (point fighting young cadets female 37.1-42kg) and Clark Fattit (point fighting older cadets male 28.1-32).
