The Dragons gear up for the 16th Asian Games
By Robbie Pangilinan
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Jul 2010
The Philippine National Dragon Boat team has been gearing up for the 16th Asian Games in November, participating in several conditioning races that serve as qualifying competitions where the paddlers can gauge their strength and progress against other teams.
In the 2010 Macau International Races 500m distance Open Category, the Men?s Team competed against China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, Singapore National Team and the San Francisco Cardinal Crewzers (Mix), while the Women?s Team faced China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China Nanhai Xiqiao, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, and the Singapore National Team.
The Men?s National Team was 2nd runner up against the two Chinese Teams, clocking at 1:54:665 and the Women?s National Team was 3rd runner up behind three Chinese Teams, with the clock at 2:05:574.
In Zhouqing City, the men?s team got the silver in the 500m and a bronze in the 250m distances. The ladies, on the other hand, got the bronze in the 1000m, silver in the 500m and another bronze in the 250m distances.
Dragon Boat races started as an old Chinese festival that commemorates the heroic poet Qu Yuan who protested against corruption by drowning himself 2000 years ago. This year, Dragon Boat Racing will debut in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. This young sport is very visible in the 16th Asian Dragon Boat websites and TV ads. It shall be celebrated not as a festival but as a sport where the best of the Asian Teams shall come together to vie for the top spot. Dragon Boat racing is one of China?s prides and their athletes, their jewels; for the longest time the Chinese had dominated this sport.
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team is supported by its sponsors PHILEX Mining Corp. and Spyder Eyewears and Sports Gear. The team needs more support in their preparation for the Asian Games.
WOMEN?S DRAGON BOAT TEAM, BRING HOME TWO BRONZE MEDALS
It was a strenuous week for the Philippine Women?s Dragon Boat Team as they competed in the Macau and China International Dragon Boat Races on June 13 to 20. This was the team?s first trip abroad for the year 2010.
In Macau, the ladies found fierce competition as they competed against top dragon boat teams. China dominated the race but the RP team fought their way to the finals. Only a second short of a platform finish in the 500m course, the women?s team resolved to do better in their next race.
And they did. The 2nd International event was in Zhouqing in rural China. The women paddlers got two bronze medals in the 1000m and the 250m race courses and a shining silver in the 500m event, beating the Chinese teams that overtook them in Macau.
After coming home to Manila, the women?s National Team has resumed training and continues to shape up for the prestigious Asian Games in November. Their experience in the Macau-China races definitely improved the team?s performance. The ladies hope to break China?s record time and ultimately earn the country the highly coveted gold.
Founded in 1997, the Philippine Dragon Boat National Women?s Team is composed of athletes from all over the Philippines coming from diverse sporting backgrounds, including the first Filipina to climb Mount Everest. The team aims to become the best Premiere Women's team in the world. The members are committed to fully extend themselves, to be gracious on and off the boat and to respect their opponents both in victory and in defeat.
The Philippine Women?s Dragon Boat Team is supported by its sponsors PHILEX Mining Corp. and Spyder Eyewears and Sports Gear. The team needs more support in their preparation for the Asian Games.
Results:
A. Macau International Dragon Boat Race (women)
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Nanhai Xiqiao, China (ex-National Team)
4. Philippine National Team
5. Singapore National Team
6. Galaxy Pearl, Macau
B. Zhouqing International Dragon Boat Race
1000 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Philippine National Team
500 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Philippine National Team
3. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
250 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Philippine National Team
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.
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