RP archer clinches bronze

MELBOURNE – Archer Raul Ramon Arambulo did the country proud by winning a bronze medal in the recent FITA indoor compound tournament in the recent fifth World Masters Games here.

Arambulo scored 566 points to become the first ever Filipino medalist in the prestigious tourney which saw 25,000 athletes from 90 countries participate in 24 events.

"I’m so happy for being able to give honors to the country," said Arambulo. "I’m glad that my long preparations and training paid off."

Two other Filipino entries in the compound division – Adam Jimenez III and Gen. Jose Marlowe Pedregosa, the delegation head – tallied 547 and 527 points, respectively, to finish 10th and 27th.

Australia’s Roy Stanton Homer and Peter Cave bagged the gold and silver with identical scores of 570 points.

The lone Filipino participant in the recurve division – Dr. Juan Ma. Pablo Nanagas – came in 16th with a score of 489 points.

Arambulo placed fourth in the FITA target outdoor event’s compound division with 1216 points (265, 278, 323, 350), while Jimenez was fifth with 1191 (265, 277, 316, 333).

Pedregosa carded 1157 (271, 252, 301, 333) to wind up in 25th spot.

Dr. Nanagas was 22nd in the recurve division with 924 (147, 211, 275, 291).

Arambulo topped the 50- and 30-meter competitions, but his low scores in the 90 and 70 meters prevented him from taking the bronze in the outdoor event.

The RP compound archers took the team silver in the Asian championships held last December in Hong Kong, and three other medals in the Asian Grand Prix in Chongzou, China last June. Arambulo also copped the individual FITA gold and Olympic Round silver medal.

The archers’ trip was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PCSO and Qantas Airways, official carrier of the RP delegation.