Student-athletes from Western Visayas are starting to harvest medals in the ongoing Palarong Pambansa 2023 in Marikina City.

With 539 athletes, 131 coaches and 143 technical working group members, Region 6 is ready to rule the biggest sporting events in the country.

Leading the gold harvesters for Western Visayas, Jumel Dichosa first garnered the gold medal for Region 6 after dominating the Long Jump Elementary boys. The 12-year-old jumper is a native of Brgy. Maya, Balasan, Iloilo.

Joshua Patorara also wowed the crowd after earning the gold medal in the Long Jump Secondary boys. The pride of Jose Facultad Memorial National High School in Pototan, Iloilo is mentored by Coach Reymund Steil delos Reyes.

Making a threatening appearance, Ilongga athlete Shanelle Jane C. Felomino snatched the bronze medal in the elementary girls’ high jump category. The native of Carles, Iloilo is trained by Benedicto C. Prasas and Leone Tiosayco.

In taekwondo, Iloilo’s Jin Nathan Lee Dedal added WV’s medal haul after winning a gold medal in the Individual Poomsae Elementary category. The 11-year old pride of Patlad Elementary School in Dumangas, Iloilo is coached by Denmark Pinggol under Dumangas MVP Taekwondo Gym.

Small but terrible Cyd Edryc Esmaña also captured the silver medal in the Individual Poomsae Secondary Boys while Julianna Martha Uy nabbed the bronze medal in the Individual Poomsae Secondary Girls.

Both student-athletes, coached by Denmark Pinggol under Iloilo MVP Taekwondo gym, are also part of the Philippine Training Pool.

Aside from collecting medals, WV also record its first record breaker. Wennie John Paclibar of Bay-ang, Ajuy, Iloilo successfully broke the Palaro record in Elementary Javelin Throw after recording 53.06m and became the third gold medalist for Region 6. He is coached by Joe Marie O. Sandoy and Anecito Feranco Jr.

As of 7 p.m. of August 1, Western Visayas is in Top 5 of the standing with 4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals. Defending champion National Capital Region is on top of the standing with 5 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Western Visayas eyes to finish strong in this year’s Edition of Palarong Pambansa. To recall, during the 2019 edition, they ranked third with 49 gold, 40 silver and 58 bronze medals.IMT Sports