Dragon Warriors bag 3rd gold medal

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - The Philippine Dragon Boat team has bagged its third gold medal in the ongoing International Dragon Boat Federation 10th World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida, US.

The country’s “Dragon Warriors” led the Premier Open 200-meter men’s event (small boat), with a time of 58.069.

Australia finished second with 58.175, followed by Japan (01:00:735) and Trinidad and Tobago (01:01:461).

“Masayang masaya kami sa nakuha nating gold medals, pangalawa po ma'am sa kabila ng paghihirap namin, nasuklian namin ang Pilipinas,” said Philippine Dragon Boat paddler Junrey Dayunot.

“Congratulations! Unfortunately, the Philippines got us again,” said one Aussie paddler.

The latest win was on top of the two gold medals they recently got for leading the competition’s Premier 200m mixed event and Premier 1,000m event (small boat).

“It's the first time talaga kaming maka-gold sa small boat at sa mixed,” said Filipina paddler Amina Anudin.

The Dragon Warriors also tried their luck in the All Comer’s Men’s event where they finished second to Russia.

The Philippines clocked in at 55.17, nearly a second behind Russia's 54.42.

The effort was good enough for a silver medal.

Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News