Project director Abby Arquiza-Boncina is shown in photo with Kyle Dominic Bantayan (silver medalist), Amund Beitnes (gold medalist), Daryl Rodemio (bronze medalist and Mapua Athletic Director Melchor Posadas Divina.
Orienteering title to Norwegian star
AMUND Beitnes of Norway emerged as the first Philippine Orienteering Open Competion gold medal winner.
The 47-year- old Beitnes completed the course in just eight minutes and 27 seconds to clinch top honors in the one-day competition held at the Mapua University in Intramuros, Manila
Project director Abby Arquiza-Boncina awarded the medals to the winners, assisted by Mapua Athletic Director Melchor Posadas Divina and Orienteering Philippines secretary-general Antonio Quiza Sr.
“I joined the competition to have fun. But what’s more important for me was to participate and support the sport,” said Beitnes, a proud member of OK 77 (Orienteering Klub 77), a famous Orienteering Club in Europe.
After finishing the course, Beitnes even took a second round and joined other competitors in order to show the route and share his thoughts in inspiring them to do better next time.
“I’m into orienteering in many different countries. This year, I plan to do orienteering in Singapore and other Asian countries. I know there will be one in Thailand,” added Beitnes, who learned orienteering when he was only 11 years old.
“I also plan to join the coming Orienteering in Norway, Sweden and Finland,” added Beitris, who is now working at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila.
Klye Dominic Bantayan captured the silver medal with a time of 10:02 while Daryl Rodemio clinched the bronze medal with a time of 12:32.
Women participants finished in fourth to seventh place with Florence Rose Bayogo coming in with 13:10, Aimie Quiza finishing with 14:28, . Zhyryn Dislag doing 17:18 and Francine Ramirez managing 18:28.
“For a start, the competition was perfect. Kahit medyo compressed, naging successful ito for me. Hopefully, the participants liked it.” said Arquiza-Boncina, a well-known Filipina orienteerer in Europe now based in Slovenia.
A total of 50 orinteerers joined the tournament organized by the Orienteering Philippines Inc. and supported by Philippine Air Lines, Asia Brewery, LT Group Inc., Healthy Options, Seascape Village, Baker’s Fair, Fronte Motors, Bestank Manufacturing, Kelme Sportswear, Paddocks Jeans, Cobra Energy Drink and PAGCOR.
Arquiza-Boncina was thankful to Mapua University for hosting the event, Graham Lim for giving her a chance to introduce orienteering in the country and her husband Igor Boncina for supporting her even in Slovenia.
Supporting Arquiza-Boncina in the organizing commitee were Cecille Sarmieto and Romulo Raytos. AA
