Aside from winning the overall crown for the 19th time, host Negros Occidental also registered the most number of athletes who won two or more gold medals in the concluded Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Cezar Fernadez of Molocaboc, Sagay City and Ceasar Ian Oberas of San Carlos City, won three gold medals each in their respective events in the elementary boys’ competition, while Erma Rose Gamao from Escalante reigned in secondary girls’ athletics, also with three gold medals.

Fernandez ruled the elementary boys’ long jump with a leap of 5.64 meters, triple jump with 11.88 meters and high jump, 1.60 meters for his golden haul.

The 12-year-old Oberas, on the other hand, was the fastest runner in the elementary department as he clocked 12.80 seconds in the 100 meters, then went on to top the 200-meter event with his time of 25.22 seconds. The six grader from Fles Elementary School in San Carlos City was also part of the team that won the elementary boys’ 4x100m relay.

Junior high school student Gamao, who impressed sports scribes with her impressive performance in the 2008 national Palaro, is the fastest runner in this year’s WVRAA meet secondary girls’ department as she won the the gold in 100 meters with her time of 12.66 seconds.

Like Oberas, she also captured her second gold in 200 meters with 26.26 seconds. Gamao was also a member of the Negros 4x100m relay champion quartet.

Other bemedalled athletes from the host province were Sheinne Sanchez of Escalante Central School, who competed in the WVRAA for the first time. She won the gold in elementary girls discus throw with her 29.60m mark and shot put, with 10.12 meters.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School runner Mary Anthony Diesto, won two gold medals for Negros is secondary girls’ long jump, with 5.13 meters, and triple jump, 11.09 meters.

Also winning two more gold medals for Negros was Richee Joy Cabanyog of Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, who set a new record in secondary boys’ shot put with his 14.15m throw, then dominated the discuss throw with his 36.28m distance.*NAB

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