By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Swimmer Aehro Jeush Tibus secured his first gold medal at the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet in Antique province.

The Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City native Tibus captured the elementary boys 50-meter butterfly gold medal in 30.81 seconds, defeating fellow Negrense Rich Ryan Javier (32.02 seconds) and Aklan’s Brennant Hilario (32.33).

A total of 19 athletes from Kabankalan are competing in athletics, swimming, pencak silat, and taekwondo at the regional meet.

They are accompanied by coaches Paul Antonio, Rino Alunan, Catherine Villo, and Nancy Abella.

Meanwhile, several Negros Occidental-based swimmers also made their presence felt on the opening day of the competition at the Binirayan Sports Complex on Monday afternoon, March 3.

In secondary girls, Maxene Uy captured two gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke and 4×50 200-meter relay with Rhianne Gonzales, Marta Rodriguez and Juliana Dejilla.

Stacey Bee ruled the 400-meter freestyle and Rianna Montelibano in the 200-meter butterfly.

In elementary girls, Illymari Ceniza won three golds in the 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke, and 4×50 200-meter relay with Sofia Secuelan, Abbe Veloria and Kristin Garpa.

Also with gold was Julia Pobleto in the 200-meter freestyle.

Ethan Base also captured a gold in the secondary boys 200-meter butterfly.

Nash Llamado bagged a gold in the elementary boys 200-meter butterfly./ASC, WDJ