Lora Micah Amogius, John Lloyd Cabalo lead Team Philippines golden surge

DARWIN, Australia – Lora Micah Amogius and John Lloyd Cabalo became double gold winners late Saturday night as the Philippines won 10 gold medals in Day 2 of the 2019 Arafura Games here.

Amogius captured gold medals in the 13-14 100m backstroke and the 200m individual medley in swimming, while Cabalo topped the men’s 400m run and the men’s 4x100m relay in athletics to emerge as the first two double gold medalists in the Philippine campaign supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Standard Insurance.

The 13-year-old Amogius clocked one minute, 10.53 seconds in the 100m backstroke, about two seconds ahead of second placer Taila Jane Wilkinson of Western Australia (1:12.19). The Davao City lass also ruled 200m IM with a time of 2:33.63, three seconds adrift of Wilkinson in the event held at the Parap Swimming Pool.

Over at the Marrara Sporting Complex, the 18-year-old Cabalo also won in dominating fashion in the 400m run, crossing the finish line at 50.73 seconds, two seconds ahead of Blair Andrews of Northern Territory (52.08) and Joseph Salmon of Northern Territory (52.34).

The National University standout teamed up with Joviane Calixto, Jason Buenacosa, and Romel Bautista to win the 4x100m relay in 43.49 seconds, beating entries from Northern Territory and Malaysia.

The Philippines won six more golds to go along with 12 silvers, and six bronzes in an eventful first day for the country in the multisports competition which is making a return after an eight-year hiatus.