Four days into the 30th Southeast Asian Games, it’s the women athletes from Davao City who have accomplished their respective tasks in producing medals for the host country Philippines.
The Dabawenyas delivered the mints–a gold, silver and bronze–to bring pride to the city.
The gold medal is courtesy of Jezebel Morcillo who dominated the live stick bantamweight women’s division of the arnis competition while the silver medal was produced by Jenilou Mosqueda after placing second in the women’s kurash -57kg division. Providing the bronze medal was Sydney Sy Tancontian who placed third in the women’s kurash +70kg division.
In the succeeding days of the 11-nation sports conclave, it’s the Dabawenyo gentlemen’s turn to showcase their repertoire in the Southeast Asian stage.competition on Thursday, December 5, at Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.
It will be an uphill battle for the 18-year old University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) judo most valuable player (MVP) and reigning juniors champion having to join the “toughest” weight division in the event.
The -82kg weight category is believed to be the convergence division of the best of the best Sambo athletes in Southeast Asia and his team could only wish him “good luck”.
Tancontian, however, is a flexible fighter with a strong foundation in judo and a vast experience in wrestling that could be very useful for the sport that requires both attribute.
Jack Escarpe is another lad from Davao City who is competing in the judo competition slated December 7, at the Laus Group Event Centre in Clark, Pampanga.This 28-year old Apprentice Seaman of the Philippine Coast Guard is originally from Sigaboy Davao Oriental. He joined the Philippine Judo Team two years ago after finishing a degree in University of Mindanao in Davao City.
Escarpe’s highest achievement so far is a silver medal from the Philippine National Games (PNG). In an interview, Escapre refused to make promises on winning a medal but vowed to do his best for the country.
“Basta buhaton lang nako asa taman akong makaya sir,” said Escapre who is seeing action in the men’s 73kg division.
And then there’s Sonny Wagdos, a decorated Dabawenyo marathoner who will test his endurance and speed in the tracks as he sees action in the 5,000-meter event in athletics on December 9 in New Clark Athletics Stadium in Pampanga.
The former BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games gold medalist, however, didn’t guarantee a medal considering the lack of preparation for the competition.
“Medyo kulang jud akong preparation sir, kay tungod last minute naman ko nakuha gud, so bali one month ra jud,” Wagdos said.
2017 SEA Games silver medalist Rexor Tacay will also test his mettle again in the men’s -67 kg division of karatedo set on December 8 at the World Trade Center.
