Another Negrense gave pride to the country after bagging the gold medal in the 2022 Japan Mountain Bike Cup at the Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan.
Athena Tashcuh Sonota of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental delivered a gold medal for Team Philippines as she topped the women’s junior-cross country Olympic category.
With a blistering one hour, three minutes and 12 seconds record, Sonota accumulated 20 points and trampled other competing cyclists.
Trained by legendary bikers Nino Surban, JR Barba and Ilongga Ariana Evangelista, the Negros star thanked her fan for the opportunity to represent the country in Japan. She described the track as gnarly that even local young riders don’t dare to race there. It was 10 folds than what they have at home races.
The University of St. La Salle Grade 12 student felt so blessed with the opportunity given to be here.
“Currently, I am the 1st and only women’s junior rider who raced here after the Tokyo Olympics. I am just so happy that I finished the race and cleared the course,” she added.
Sonota, a standout of the Kambya Dos Racing Team-Official, also dedicated her gold medal victory to the Filipinos who were inundated by the tropical storm Paeng, which also inundated several parts of Western Visayas over the weekend.
Marco Antonio of Kambya Dos Racing Team also expressed elation over the victory of Sonota, who competed in the international stage for the first time after dominating the Negros scene.IMT Sports
