RP team bags gold in Dragon boat race in Czech Republic

The Philippines made a gold-medal finish – and set a new record - in the recently concluded 9th International Dragon Boat Racing Championships in the Czech Republic last Aug. 26 to 31. A report reaching the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine national team earned their gold medals for the 200-meter premier open and mixed categories. “In winning the gold medal at the 200-meter premier, the Philippine team also broke their own world record by clocking in at 40.022 seconds. The previous record at 41.91 seconds was registered by the Philippine team at the 8th International Dragon Boat Racing Championship held in Sydney, Australia," the DFA said. The DFA added the Philippine team bested powerhouse teams from China, the US, Canada, Germany, and 22 other countries. It said the Philippine team also won the silver medal for the 500-meter premier open and took fourth place finishes at the 500-meter premier mixed and 1000-meter premier open. Before winning the gold medals, the team had first-place finishes in the elimination rounds. Heading the Philippine team was Benjie Ramos, Philippine Dragon Boat Federation President; and Nestor Ilagan, head coach. The Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic led by Ambassador Regina Irene Sarmiento extended full support to the Philippine team during the race. It organized the Filipino community in the Czech Republic to go to the race site at Račice Regatta Center, 60 km north of Prague, and cheer for the Filipinos. From the Czech Republic, the Philippine team is going to compete at the King’s Cup in Thailand in September and at the SAVA Sprints International in Singapore in October. After that, it will begin preparations for the 10th International Dragon Boat Racing Championships to be held in Tampa, Florida in 2011. - GMANews.TV