By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Athletes from Bacolod City and Negros Occidental delivered a strong showing in athletics and boxing events of the first-ever Negros Island Region Athletic Association (NIRAA) Meet 2026, collecting multiple gold medals across several categories.
Bacolod City’s relay teams highlighted the athletics competitions after dominating the secondary boys’ relays.
Renz James Solomon, Aaron Jan Pahilagao, Michael Grejado, and John Vincent Deliola captured the gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay, while Solomon also helped power the squad of Brandon Palabrica, Gem Mark Flores and Deliola to victory in the 4×100-m relay.
In the elementary division, Bacolod also secured the gold medal in the 4×400-m relay behind the team of Rajib Ash Catenza, Jan Vincent Parreno, Benj Ander Lozada, and Vic Denver Sagon.
Meanwhile, Kabankalan City topped the elementary boys’ 4×100-m relay through Jurie Esmillarin, Delbert Felomino, Arjay Villaciran, and King Sanora.
The elementary girls’ 4×100-m relay gold went to Negros Occidental’s quartet of Ashley Nicole Silvor, Faith Flores Sarillo, Mary Grace Gepanago, and Reynalyn Moreño.
Bacolod’s John Vincent Deliola added another gold medal after winning the secondary boys’ 400-m hurdles, while Kabankalan City’s Ghenica Dini-ay ruled the elementary girls’ 400-m hurdles.
Negros Occidental also captured two hurdles titles courtesy of Zia Ashley Gomez in the secondary girls’ division and Terence Estanda in the elementary boys’ category.
In the field events, Kane Benedict Laureano of Bacolod emerged as one of the standout performers after securing two gold medals, winning both the shot put and secondary boys’ discus throw.
Silay City’s Ian Chester Dimanalata finished with the silver medal in the discus, while Negros Occidental’s Jeffrey Maranga, Jr. settled for bronze.
Other gold medalists in athletics included Joshua Pedraita of Negros Occidental, who topped the secondary boys’ pole vault, and Marianne Faith Pedales of Negros Occidental, who won the secondary girls’ discus throw.
Negros Occidental also celebrated victories from Nesty Cabayona in the elementary girls’ triple jump, Bernardito Villegas, Jr. in the elementary boys’ discus throw, and Kyla Castillo of Bacolod, who ruled the secondary girls’ triple jump.
Meanwhile, Nobejun Casamayor of Negros Oriental’s Bayawan City clinched the gold medal in the secondary boys’ 3,000-m steeplechase, while Sean Calix Patambag of Guihulngan City topped the elementary boys’ triple jump.
In boxing, several divisions crown new champions. Mike Roland Villarin of Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City won the under-15 pinweight title, while Edren Cauntoy of Bago City claimed gold in the under-15 light flyweight category.
In the under-17 division, champions included John Mikhail Arrelano of Talisay City (pinweight), Clint Paul Fihueroa of Bayawan City (light flyweight), Jerydel Genodipa of Negros Oriental (flyweight), John Michael Jeruta of Bago City (light bantamweight), and Jonny Pilipinas of San Carlos City (bantamweight).
The under-19 champions were Ezykiel Jake Arabe of Negros Occidental in the minimum weight, May John Enemido of Bayawan City in the flyweight, and Gerard Escorial of Bayawan City in the bantamweight division.
The NIRAA Meet continues to showcase top young athletes from across Negros Island as they compete for regional honors and spots in upcoming national competitions./ASC, WDJ