MANILA, Philippines - The second Sangyaw International Jetski Challenge-National Jet Ski Series third leg blasts off tomorrow with a crack international field vying for top honors in the P1.7 million event at the Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City.
Filipino world champion Paul del Rosario will be up against world-caliber foreign riders, including Dubai winner Omar Abdullah Al Rashid, Japan’s ace junior rider Toshi Ohara and Thailand’s multi-Pro national and multi-Pro world champion Chokuthit Molee and Chaovalit Kujaroon as they slug it out for the top plums in the event sponsored by the government of Tacloban City, Tacloban City Tourism Office, Sangyaw Foundation, Globe, Coca-Cola, Robinsons Malls.
At 19, Al Rashid and his XBJ Team of Dubai rocked the 2011 World Jet Ski Finals in Lake Havasu when he emerged the ProAm Ski Limited champion, beating the noted racing teams and riders in the event.
A former junior national champion, Al Rashid is now the No. 2 Pro ski rider of the United Arab Emirates.
The other foreign riders expected to contend for the crown are Thai Veerapong Maneechom, and Japanese top guns Takehiro Ohara, Jun Ikoma and lady rider Akemi Ikoma who will be facing World Jet Ski finals veterans BJ Ang, Jam Mangio, Abby Reyes, Mike Mangio, Darrell Garbes and fellow Phl Team riders Butch Cassido, Pong Lee, Fritz Ortiz and Tacloban City’s homegrown champion Raymund Romualdez.
Tacloban under Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Rep. Martin Romualdez and local sanctioning body Jet Sports Association of the Philippines under new president Harley David have worked hard to gather the top-ranked world jet ski riders in the event also held to promote the development of the sport.
Others competing are riders from Cebu, Ilocos, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Maguindanao, Davao and General Santos City.
Highlighting the festivities is the Sangyaw Parade of Lights featuring 20 symbolic floats depicting the City’s rich history.
Events on tap are the Novice Stock, Pro-am Stock, Executive Runabout Open (40yrs up), Women’s Runabout, Pro-am Runabout Open, Novice Ski (Stand Up), Pro Ski (Stand Up), Pro Open, 2-Strokes, Amateur Open and the Endurance Race.
For inquiries, contact Kix Javier at 0917-3051970 or log on at info@taclobanwatersports.com and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tacloban-City-2nd-National-Jetski-Competition/333030413409172). (http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Tacloban-City-2nd-National-Jetski-Competition/333030413409172).