PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — Courtney Jewel Trangia of Masbate shone in women’s discus throw, Rich Justin Torres of Tarlac triumphed in shot put and Anton Paulo Dominick Della made his presence felt in swimming as the 2024 Batang Pinoy National Championships finally got underway at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex Track Oval here Sunday.

Trangia captured the first gold medal as she topped the women’s under-18 discus throw event with a heave of 38.30 meters in the girls division and retained the crown for the third straight time in the meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in cooperation with the Puerto Princesa City govenrment.

The 17-year-old pride of Masbate won over Hannah Ashlei Regaya of Davao del Norte (31.54) and Trisha Gayle Nalla of City of Maasin (31.06) to add another gold to her collection following a strong showing in the Philippine Athletics Championships at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City last April.

“Last Batang Pinoy ko na po ito kaya malungkot at masaya ako na iiwanan ko ang bago kong record dito. Naniwala lang ako sa training ng coach ko at sa sarili ko,” said Trangia, who also captured the gold medals in the same event in the Batang Pinoy 2022 in Vigan and 2023 in Manila.

“Personal best ko 40.19 nung ICTSI National Open sa Pasig,” added Trangia, a Grade 12 student of Masbate Sports Academy.

“Courtney’s strong suit is really her power and strenght and is quite teachable who follows the training instructions to the letter. She is able to juggle her academics and athletics well,” said coach and MSA school adviser Jeric Cabug.

MSA head Rufino Arellano disclosed that Trangia was one of two MSA gold medalists at the Asean School Games held last June in Da Nang, Vietnam, the other being javelin thrower Ana Bhianca Espenilla, who was scheduled to compete late in the afternoon.

In shot put, Rich Justin Torres of Tarlac bagged the boy’s under-16 shot put gold medal in 12.16 meters.

The 13-year-old student of Tarlac National High School, Torres, won over Lloyd Ivan Mahinay of Cagayan de Oro City,who got the silver medal (10.86) and Nicholas Michael Siobal of Quezon City, who settled for the bronze medal (10.57).

Over at the RVM Sports Complex pool area, the 17-year-old Della secured the golds in the boys 16 to 17-year-old boys 200-meter individual medley in clocking two minutes and 15.58 second.

That was enough to surpass the previous mark of 2:16..66 of Lucena’s Peter Cyrus Dean in last year in the previous edition at the Teofilo Yldefonso pool in Manila.

“I really wanted to swim faster because I know what I am capable of,: said Della , who won five silver medals in the last Palarong Pambansa held in Cebu City last July.

Pasig City tanker Arvin Naeem Taguinota II also captured two gold medals.

Taguinota II clocked 2:22.02 in the boys 13-under 200 LC meter individual medley over Christian Isaih Lagnason of General Santos City (2:23.36) and Behrouz Mohamma Mojdeh of Paranaque City (2:24.66).

Taguinota II also won the boys 13-under 100-meter freestyle after registering 57.92 against Richard Nielson Navo of Cavite City (58.74) and General Santos City bet John Simon Gregorio (59.27), who settled for silver and bronze medal.\

Quezon City tankers Liaa Margarette Amoguis and Aubrey Tomfinished 1-2 in the girls 17-under 200-meter individual medley.

Amoguis clocked 2:33.25 while Tom 2:35.64 who settled for gold and silver medal. Arabella Nadeen Taguinota of Pasig City wound up for bronze medal (2:36.80).

Over the RVM Sepak Takraw gym, Rhiene Maybelle Briones of Rizal claimed the gold medal in the weightlifting competition.

Briones scored 40 in the Snatch and 52 in the Clean & Jerk, achieving a total of 92 points, edging out Precious Jade Lozada of Zamboanga City, who scored 41 in the Snatch and 47 in the Clean and Jerk for a total of 88 points.

Stephanie Mandigma of Rizal ranked third with 34 in the Snatch and 50 in the Clean & Jerk, totaling 84 points.

The prestigious youth sportsfest is supported by the Puerto Princesa City government led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Pocari Sweat and Summit Mineral Water.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya