PUERTO PRINCESA: The Philippines grabbed two gold medals Friday during the 2024 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championships here.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Filipinos clocked 47.07 seconds in the 20-seater Mixed 200-meter event to beat the Canadians, who finished in 48.69 seconds, while Individual Neutral Athletes placed third with a time of 49.03 seconds. Team captain Ojay Fuentes expressed satisfaction, stating, “We’re so happy for winning two gold medals, this is a big boost to all the Filipino athletes competing here.”

Fuentes also extended gratitude to supporters, including the Puerto Princesa City government, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and private sponsors. The second gold medal was secured in the mixed 40+ 20-seater x 200m event, where the Philippines clocked 49.41 seconds, outpacing the Czech Republic and Hungary, who finished with silver and bronze, respectively.

The Philippines cl
inched a silver medal in the 20-seater Open 200m event, clocking 47.59 seconds, behind Thailand’s 40.37 seconds, with Hong Kong finishing third. In the 20-seater Women’s 200m event, the Philippines settled for bronze, timing 50.48 seconds, while Thailand and Individual Neutral Athletes took gold and silver, respectively.

More events were scheduled for the afternoon, in a tournament coordinated by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation (PCKDBF) and supported by the Puerto Princesa City government. It also serves as a qualifier for the mixed 2,000m event in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. In support of the championships, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 699, designating every fourth week of October as ‘Moving Forward Paddling Week Philippines’.