Davao City emerged 10th among 106 local government unit (LGU) delegations in the final and official Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships ranking recently released by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The Dabawenyos, whose trip was funded by the City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office, clinched a total of 11 gold medals, 17 silvers, and 31 bronzes in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur in the national sports fest played virtually and face-to-face.
The annual Batang Pinoy national meet was revived after a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baguio City lorded over other LGUs by hauling 31 golds, 30 silvers, and 38 bronzes to grab the top spot followed by Pasig City (22-12-14) in second, Quezon City (21-10-15) third, Laguna (20-15-16) fourth, and Iloilo City (17-14-15) fifth.
Rounding up the top 10 were Lapu-Lapu City (16-7-6) at No. 6, Pangasinan (15-12-14) at seventh, General Santos City (13-12-11) eighth, Lucena City (12-9-3) ninth, and Davao City (11-17-31) 10th.
The karate team delivered the most golds for Davao City with Heleina Dominique So bagging two golds in girls’ e-kata 8-9 years old and girls’ e-fantom kumite 8-9 years old divisions.
So, during Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at SM City Davao, said: “I am happy to win gold medals in the Batang Pinoy 2022. It’s a bit more difficult when you play in virtual competition than the face-to-face.”
Karatekas Robert Bryan Dayanan, Jr. (boys e-kata 10-11 years old) and Pauleen Nicelle Panlilio (girls e-fantom kumite 12-13 years old) chipped in one gold each.
So and Dayanan will next compete in a tournament in Malaysia in March.
Dayanan, in the same sports forum, said his parents inspired him to win the gold in Batang Pinoy and that he prepared hard for it.
The city’s chess and wushu teams accounted for two golds apiece.
Woodpusher Andrei Ainsley Dolorosa captured the boys under-13 rapid chess individual gold while the tandem of Aaron Aton and Lance Andrei Lao joined forces to pocket the boys under-11 rapid chess team gold.
Wushu artists Gillan Miguel Porras (group A male barehand 24 steps Taiji Quan) and Jhianna Henrietty Celi (group B female long weapon) also brought home golds for Davao City along with archer Pepito Henry Wee (compound boys-72 arrows), swimmer Stacey Bernice Requiza (girls 13-15 50-meter backstroke), and dancesport athlete Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla (standard junior male).
Neighboring Davao del Norte (7-12-11) finished 18th. CIO
