By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Iloilo City just wrapped up its 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships campaign with an impressive 4th-runner-up finish held in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
The talented Ilonggo athletes garnered a total of 46 medals: 17 golds, 14 silvers, and 15 bronze medals in the five-day national sporting event from December 17-21, 2022.
Iloilo pulled off one of its best finishes in the Batang Pinoy series after besting the other 108 participating Local Government Units (LGUs) from all over the Philippines.
The City of Love was placed behind the City of Baguio, City of Pasig, Quezon City, and Laguna while edging the City of Lapu-Lapu which took the sixth place.
Led by Executive Assistant for Sports Mr. Rudiver Jungco Sr. and Mr. Rein Dayot, the Ilonggo athletes turned heads in almost all sporting events of Batang Pinoy.
Iloilo City’s first podium finish was delivered by Maria Louisse Crisselle Alejado after ending the cycling 13 & under Girls category in second place.
Alejado is a 13-year-old athlete from Mandurriao National High School who bannered Iloilo City’s Criterium race and road race.
After Alejado, Brendz Agyn Celerian added another medal to Iloilo City after nabbing the silver in another cycling event.
Perhaps the sweetest victory came after Harvy Dolutan, a 15-year-old athlete from Saint Augustine Catholic School, bagged Iloilo City’s first gold medal after reigning supreme in the time trial event of cycling.
Iloilo City also had several podium finishes in Batang Pinoy’s virtual events such as taekwondo, arnis, and karate.
Also, one of the most memorable gold medal wins for Iloilo City was Jay Emmanuel Sotaridona’s victory in chess, 9 & under the blitz category.
After the Batang Pinoy tournament, the Ilonggo athletes will be back competing in the various sporting events of the 2023 Dinagyang celebration.
