Philippine Dragon Boat Team had brought seven medals from the seven events that they had joined in the recent 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships held in Tampa, Florida.
Dragon warriors as the world championship ended yesterday, August 7 had garnered their 5th gold from the 500-meter men’s small boat division. Like those previous races, it was divided into three (3) heats, and PH Dragon Warriors were competing against Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. On the first heat, the Philippine Team launched an opening time with 2:38 seconds as reported by Dyan Castillejo. However, heat two was dominated by Australia. On the third heat, PH Dragon Warriors had showcased what they got, and ended the race taking its fifth (5th) gold in the competition.
The other 4 gold medals were snatched from Premier 1000 meters in small boat division held on August 4 as they raced versus Hungary, Australia, Italy, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Second gold was earned via Premier 200 mixed division.
Third gold was garnered in the Premier- Open 200 meter category for men (small boat) with the official time of 58.069 seconds.
The fourth one was grabbed in the 500 meter mixed small boat division) as the team faced with Hungary and Trinidad and Tobago.
Aside from their paddle for gold, the team had also earned two silver medals. One from 200 meter All Comers Men event wherein they ended the race taking the next spot after Russia and the other was achieved in the Premier 200 meter men (small boat division).
Dragon warrior’s performance on that competition had earned good feedbacks and praises from their competitors.
However, despite the success that they had brought to the Philippines, as reported in Bandila, a late night news and current program in ABS-CBN, the PH Dragon Warriors will not receive any rewards from the government because they were not officially recognized by the Philippine Olympic Commission and they are not also the official Philippine Team.