Negrenses win gold in athletics, arnis

By Adrian Stewart Co

Negros Occidental increased its gold medal haul with wins in athletics and arnis in the ongoing 2019 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet, which is currently taking place in Roxas City, Capiz.

Bernalyn Bejoy earned her second gold medal of the competition capturing the secondary girls’ 400-meter dash, Kate Martinez won the secondary girls’ discus throw, and Laurence Rabanes took the elementary boys’ long jump.

Negrense athletes also collected other medals in various athletics events. Among the silver medal winners include Tristan Plotira in the 100-meter dash, Trexie Dela Torre – long jump, Meycee Magdangal – high jump. Bronze medal winners include Emgiel Duran in the discus throw, Keven Candazo – long jump, Rome Ojeno – 400-meter dash, and Cherry Villanueva – 3,000-meter run.

Meanwhile, in arnis, Negros Occidental won several gold medals in the elementary division. Julianne Oberes won individual gold in espada y daga, in the mixed double weapon category with Christian Magbanua, and for the team double weapon division with Chezka Borrero and Jean Villadar. Villadar also won gold in the individual single weapon category.

Oberes, Borrero, and Villadar also took gold in team double weapon, along with silver in team espada y daga and single weapon. In addition, Magbanua, Lyster Agustin, and Lordzianver Tumabing earned silver medals in the team single weapon, espada y daga, and double weapon categories.

In the secondary competition, Jerald Macahilig, Justin Melliza, and Eric Toleco won gold in team single weapon category and bronze in espada y daga.

Other events that saw Negrense athletes excel include chess, where Rvy James Saldavia won two gold medals in the blitz individual division; and the blitz team category alongside Jizon Bermudez.

In gymnastics, Kiana Alagaban captured gold in rope, and ball and club; while Alyssa Chavez finished with gold in floor exercise, balance beam, and single bar./ASC, WDJ