Pinoy rowers shine in HK meet

The Philippine team won the gold in the mixed crew international championship from a field of over 80 Hong Kong teams and over 21 international squads in the HK International Dragon Boat Race 2001 June 30-July 1 in the Shing Mun River, Sha Tan in Hong Kong.

The Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation-Drago Pilipinas bested Hong Kong and Canada, which settled for the silver and bronze, respectively, in the event which drew teams from Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Japan, China and Malaysia.

Team captain Nichelson Ting said the RP squad was assisted by the HK Filipino community which brought food and cheered for the Filipinos during the races.

The team included members of the Amateur Rowing Association of the Philippines, businessmen, physicians, bankers, fashion designers and two former Mr. Philippines winners. Nine women who joined the team for the Mixed Crew category are members of the PDRT-Fireblades Women’s Crew, currently the number one private rowing team in the country.

A week before the Hong Kong Festival, Drago Pilipinas ruled the B category in the men’s Open in Macau last June 25. Victor Ablan, the assistant labor attache currently assigned to the Philippine consulate general’s office in Macau, welcomed the team.