PUERTO PRINCESA—Masbate’s Courtney Jewel Trangia, along with swimmers Ashton Clyde Jose and comebacking Arvin Taguinota became the first gold medalists of the Batang Pinoy 2024 on at Ramon V. Mitra R. Sports Complex here.
The 17-year-old Trangia claimed one of three records that were set on opening day when she heaved 38.30 meters in the under-18 women’s discus throw for the gold medal of the athletics meet.
It may not be her personal best, as she could find her footing on the slippery throwing surface and with her heave below her best in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa (39.47).
But her feat was still considered a meet record since it was higher when Trangia retained her crown for a third time.
“Hindi ako sigurado na personal best ko ito. Target ko kasi na mag-40 meters,” said Trangia, a day before she leaves for Malaysia to compete in the Malaysian Open Athletics 2024, with members of the Philippine national athletics team.
The 16-year-old Jose, a 10th grader from Letran, led Taguig City to its first gold medal when he ruled the 14-15 year old, boys’ 200-meter individual medley in 2:14.08, in swimming.
Jose bested Aishel Evangelista (Caloocan City), who had 2:17.38 for the silver, and Kristian Cabana (Paranaque City), for the bronze (2:19.19).
The 13-year-old Taguinota, who emerged as among the most bemedalled last year with seven golds, towed Pasig to its first gold with his time of 2:22.02.
The Bangkok-based Taguinota was ahead of General Santos City’s Christian Lagnason (2:23.36) and Paranaque’s Behrouz Mojdeh(2:24.66).
Taguinota and Sofia Garra went on claim two gold medals as Day 1 ended.
That’s after Taguinota also grabbed a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at 57.92 seconds, breaking his personal best of 58.70 seconds, and he was in front of Richard Navo (Cavite) at 58.74 seconds and John Gregorio (General Santos) at 59.23.
The 12-year old Garra, who is getting ready for the Southeast Asian Youth Championships in Thailand, gave Malabon a pair of golds, first with her 2:31.62 clocking in the 12-13, girls 200-IM, a time which was past her Palarong Pambansa-recordbreaking feat of 2:33.
Garra, coached by Olympian Jenny Guerrero, also topped the 100-meter freestyle in 1:02.61, a new event, for her.
