MANILA, Philippines - Ace jetski rider Paul del Rosario became the first Filpino world champion as he topped the 2010 QuakySense-IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona recently.
Del Rosario upstaged topnotch rivals to capture the Premium Open Expert Runabout crown in the International Jetsports and Boating Association (IJSBA)-organized World finals.
The event used to be dominated by Americans, Europeans, Brazilians and Thais.
Banking on his turbo four-stroke Yamaha boat set-up by Rius Racing, Del Rosario topped the two motos to beat John Hecox of Gothenburg, Nebraska and Dennis Mack of Loganville, Georgia.
Deniso Casarini of Sao Paulo, Brazil and Greco Giuseppe of Serbia took the next two spots.
“This one is for the Philippines. It feels great to win in this event which is considered the Formula One of jetski wherein the best skiers in America and the national champions from all over the world participate. And it feels even greater to know that with this victory, the world has come to know more about the Philippines,” said Del Rosario.
After finishing second in the qualifying heat, Del Rosario grabbed the hole shot in both motos then outclassed the field en route to victory.