PUERTO PRINCESA—Jamie Dannielle Nirza provided the golden spark for Team Philippines in karate even as swimmer Quendy Fernandez emerged as the most bemedalled athlete at the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games here.
Nirza captured the gold medal in the women’s kata event at the NCCC Mall with a score of 36.5 points, narrowly beating Malaysia A’s Anisa Aira Nur (36.2), who settled for silver, and Brunei’s Nasir Abdul, who took the bronze.
“I practiced hard, and when I perform, I give my very best. I feel honored and blessed to bring something our country can be proud of,” said Nirza, an 18-year-old nursing student from Jose Maria College in Davao. She also teamed up with Yesha Lee Ho and Al Rhina Kawano to win silver in the women’s team kata, scoring 34.6 points.
At the Ramon Mitra Jr. Sports Complex pool, Fernandez emerged as the winningest athlete, collecting five golds and two silvers. She capped her campaign with a victory in the girls’ 200m backstroke and a silver in the 4x100m medley relay.
“I prepared extensively for this competition. After the UAAP Season 67 in Clark, I didn’t rest because I knew this was an international event. I never expected to win this many medals. It’s such a blessing from God and a reward for all my hard work,” said Fernandez, who celebrated her success in her first international competition.
Teammate Philip Sahagun also claimed five gold medals, including wins in the boys’ 200m backstroke (2:14.38) and the 4x100m medley relay.
“My goal is to join the national team and represent the country in international competitions,” Sahagun said.
Team Philippines excelled in other events as well.
In archery, Nathaniel Carlos of PH Team E won the men’s individual recurve, while Yvonne Forcado of PH Team B topped the women’s division while Milchay Moreno led PH Team A to victory in the women’s 4x400m relay, clocking 4:09.51 to beat Malaysia and PH Team D in athletics.
In badminton, Klea Montanez took the women’s singles gold, while Malcolm Mag-Aso and Andre Alexis Macalalag won the mixed doubles title while Regina Bayudang and Khrystn Valdez of PH Team B claimed gold in the women’s doubles.
