Filipino jet ski athletes from the RP-JSAP team made waves on the international stage, delivering outstanding performances at the recently concluded SBT-IJSBA World Jet Ski Finals and 2024 WGP#1 Waterjet IJSBA World Series Round 2 in Arizona, USA.
The event, considered the “Olympics of Jet Ski racing,” featured over 300 riders from more than 70 countries, and the Philippines proudly stood out, with riders Anton Ignacio, Angelo Inigo Ventus, Kristine Kate Povadora Mercado, and Cody Enzo Pontino all making their mark.
Anton Ignacio delivered the country’s highest achievement, clinching the prestigious Pro-Am Runabout 1100 Stock title, one of the competition’s premier divisions. Ignacio’s victory was a standout in an event packed with top-tier talent. Additionally, he secured the Runner-up position in the Expert Runabout 1100 Stock, fourth overall in the Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock, and a second-place finish in the Naturally Aspirated class, where he showcased his exceptional determination and skill.
In the Naturally Aspirated class, Ignacio was poised for victory after topping Moto 1. However, a bent sponson on his boat in Moto 2 made handling difficult, dropping him to 10th place. Nevertheless, in Moto 3, Ignacio executed a brilliant comeback, overtaking competitors one by one to finish in second place and claim the Runner-up title in the division.
Angelo Inigo Ventus brought home the first win for the Philippines, capturing the Novice Runabout Stock championship. His performance further boosted the team’s success as he also finished as the overall 4th Runner-up in the Novice Runabout 1100 Stock category.
Kristine Kate Povadora Mercado wowed spectators with her fierce performance, securing the Runner-up position in the Women’s Runabout 1100 Stock division, finishing behind Thailand’s Poypoy Kunsa. Mercado also placed fifth in the Novice Runabout 1100 Stock and seventh in the Reclites division, rounding out a highly commendable showing.
Cody Enzo Pontino, meanwhile, displayed remarkable resilience in the Novice Ski Stock category. After finishing 15th in Moto 1, Pontino came roaring back with a victory in Moto 2 and secured a hard-fought second place in Moto 3, landing him a third-place overall finish in the category.
The Philippine riders’ success in this global event under the International Jet Sports and Boating Association (IJSBA) has once again highlighted the country’s growing prominence in the world of jet ski racing, as these athletes continue to fly the national flag high on the international stage.
