MANILA, October 31 ------ The ICF Dragon Boat World Championships commences with a record-breaking 27 countries and close to 2,000 participants from around the world seeing action in Puerto Princesa City. The championships will be the main qualifying event for the World Games in Chengdu, China next year.
The cumulative times of the top 10 teams in the 200-meter, 500-meter, and 2,000-meter races in the 10-seater mixed team event will qualify for the World Games, where Dragon Boat will debut as a medal sport. Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Lucilo Bayron said Wednesday that the city is thrilled to host the championships, while International Canoe Federation Thomas Konietzko of Germany expressed excitement for the tilt. “We are thrilled to host the dragon boat world championships here. It is an honor to welcome the world’s best paddling athletes, coaches, and supporters to our shores, where we hope that the spirit of unity and sportsmanship can thrive,” said Bayron during the press launch of the competition. “Puerto Princesa is one of the cleanest cities in the world so we have a unique site for the world championships where we can write history here together,” Konietzko noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Pinoy paddlers, Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation president Leonora Escollante was optimistic the hosts, who have been training here since September 26, would deliver and clinch a slot to the World Games given the homecourt advantage. Meanwhile, national team veteran and team skipper OJ Fuentes knows what the competition is all about and said they want to reach the top 10. “We are prepared to make it to the top 10. Matagal na po namin napaghandaan ito at alam ng national paddlers lahat kung ano ang nakataya,” said Fuentes.
On top of sealing a ticket to the World Games, the Filipino bets will eye to surpass their five gold and two silver medals in capturing the overall title the last time they saw action in the 2018 edition held in Gainesville, Georgia. The championship officially begins today, October 31.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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