PH hauls gold in Arafura Games

“Congratulations to our Philippine Swimming Team for the Arafura Games 2019!” (Photo: Team Phil – Arafura Games 2019/Facebook)

The first day of the 2019 Arafura Games was a success for Team Philippines last Saturday, April 27 in Darwin, Australia, as they obtained a total of 10 gold medals in athletics and swimming.

For swimming, it was Lora Amoguis who led the way at the Parap Swimming Pool. Thirteen-year-old Amoguis totalled a gold in the 13-14 100m backstroke and the 200m individual medley. She also won silver in the 200m freestyle medley. Responding to being one of the first double gold medalists in the games, the Batang Pinoy star also shared, “I’m really happy and I broke all my times. I’m very, very happy and honored to swim for the Philippines because it’s my country and I’m proud to be a Filipino.”

Another athlete who scored double gold for the country was John Lloyd Cabalo, who dominated athletics for the 400m run and the 4x100m relay with teammates Joviane Calixto, Jason Buenacosa, and Romel Bautista. “I’ve always dreamt of winning a gold medal here in Australia because the competition is so tough,” he shared in delight after being awarded at the Marrara Sporting Complex.

Among Amoguis and Cabalo’s four golds, the Philippines won six more throughout the day, adding onto their 12 silvers and six bronzes. Other notable gold-medalists included Ivo Nikolai Enot of the 13-14 men’s 100m backstroke, Abigail Manzano of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, Nicko Caparoso of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, Bruce Fernia of the men’s javelin throw, Jessel Lumapas of the women’s 400m run, and Mark Anthony Casena of the men’s triple jump.

An action-filled Day Two of the competition will continue on Monday, April 29.

Team Philippines, which is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Standard Insurance, is marking their re-entry into the Arafura Games after it was on an eight-year hiatus.