ILOCOS SUR—Baguio City’s investment in grassroots sports continues to pay off as it currently clings to the overall lead with a few sports left in the final day of the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships here.
Banking heavily in archery, Baguio City amassed 29 gold, 27 silver and 35 bronze medals as of 12 noon Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Jathniel Caleb Fernandez spearheaded the team’s archery assault after scooping six gold medals in the boys 10-under division.
Other archers who also took the podium were Michiko Brianna Gonzales, Jemuelle James Espiritu, Ashlee Poclis, the girls 13-under team of Jalorrae Lictao, Pia Noble and Chenea Passi, and the boys 15-under squad of Chass Colas, Raizen De Guzman and Rokai Tacudong.
Its taekwondo team, who competed virtually, also scooped eight gold medals courtesy of Leane Siddayao, Shaun Yagyagen, Joniya Obiacoro, Chezka Luzadas, Caleb Calde, Acey Oglayon, Joshua Erece, Cye Evangelista, Marcus Maquiraya and Valerie Oglayon.
Other golds came from muay (5), swimming (1) and wushu (1).
Baguio City Sports Development Officer Gudz Gonzales is proud of what the delegation has accomplished.
“I think our game plan for Batang Pinoy went well. We started early with our selection process which actually started July this year, and those selected had to concentrate on their trainings and preparations for this event,” said Gonzales.
“We are not actually surprised that we did well because our LGU has full support to our athletes,” he added.
Laguna is at distant second with 18 gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze, while Quezon City is at third with 15 gold, nine silver and 13 bronzes.
Lapu-Lapu City is at fourth (14-6-5) while General Santos City is at fifth (13-12-10).
Rounding up the Top 10 are Pasig City (13-9-9), Iloilo City (12-10-13), Masbate (11-7-6), Lucena City (11-7-3) and Davao City (9-13-28).