FILIPINO paddlers recently ruled the 16-nation Thailand International Swanboat Race at Chao Rhraya River in Bangkok.
They took home the top purse of 600,000 baht (roughly P655,000) after the paddlers from the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation won the 500-meter small boat event.
The paddlers, who are coached by Len Escollante, clocked 2 minutes and 11.55 seconds, upsetting host Thailand by almost one second.
The Singapore National Dragon Boat team and the Korean Canoe Federation were 3rd and 4th, respectively.
The PCKF paddlers earlier ranked third in the eliminations (repechage).
They then picked up the pace in the quarterfinals and semifinals by finishing second in both.
Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists and 2020 Olympic hopefuls Hermie Macaranas and OJ Fuentes led the Philippine team to victory.
Escollante said they did not expect to beat the strong Thailand squad, which was unbeaten in previous races.
This is the second time for the Philippines to post a win over Thailand after the November Asian Championships in Palembang, Indonesia.
