Nagueño bags 2 golds in Palaro swimming

By Sy Jurn Penino NAGA CITY ---Julius Glen Vasquez of Naga Central School 1, this city, took home two gold medals in the swimming event in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2018 held last April 15 to 21 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Vasquez bagged the gold medals in 200m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle category. He also won one silver medal in the 4x100 Medley Relay, and 4 bronze medals in the 200m Individual Relay, 100m Freestyle, 100 Butterfly and 4x50 Freestyle Relay. Vasquez will be awarded Athlete of the Year in the coming the Mayoral Awards 2018 of the City Government of Naga. Meanwhile, Jose Tondo of Ateneo de Naga University also won a silver medal in the 4x100 Medley Relay and a bronze medal in the 4x50 Freestyle. Both young athletes are under the supervision of Coach Cristina Yanga. In Gymnastics, Athiya Therese Dimaiwat of Saint Joseph School won a bronze medal in the EG Women’s Artistic Gymnastic (WAG) category while Jearl Reylie Pineda of Camarines Sur National High School won a bronze medal for in the Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG). Mary Lovely Buenavidez of San Rafael School also received a bronze medal under the special event category in the swimming competition. Overall, the region ranked 13th in the whole competition garnering a total of 8 gold medals, 16 silver and 28 bronze in which team Naga contributed 12 medals; consisting of 2 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze medals.¬ Nagueño medalists of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa proudly presented their medals before Mayor John Bongat along with their families and coaches. Aside from the medals received, incentives and formal recognition awaitsthe young athletes. Palarong Pambansa is the biggest annual amateur sports event in the country where the best of each region compete in various sports disciplines. Their trainings and exposure are preparatory to bigger events both here and abroad, particularly in Asia and ASEAN, in search of honor and excellence.