The Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation is optimistic of its paddlers to put up a good showing in the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships that the country is hosting on Oct. 28 to Nov. 4 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Federation head Len Escollante said the Nationals can perform well against their foreign rivals as they hoped to clinch one of the berths at stake for the 12th World Games set in Chengdu, China in August next year.

“I’m proud to say na medyo malakas tayo ngayon dito,” said Escollante during the PSA Forum last Tuesday, Oct. 22, adding that they also hoped to replicate impressive finish in the 2018 edition held in the Gainesville, Florida where they won five gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

A total of 54 gold medals will be disputed in 200m, 500m and 2,000m races. The open national team division offers 18 gold medals like the masters 40-plus. Then nine golds each will be at stake in the 50-plus and juniors for boys and girls.

Twenty-six nations are competing in the four-day event -- the most number in the biennial meet -- that include Czech Republic, China, Russia, Hungary and Ukraine, to name a few.

OJ Fuentes and Rosalyn Esguerra are expected to banner the Nationals in this historic hosting as it’s the first time a Southeast Asian country is organizing the event.