The Philippine Navy Dragon Boat Team (PH Navy Team) emerged winner in all four categories of the recently concluded Dapa Siargao 1st International Dragon Boat Festival held here from July 14 to 16.

The PH Navy Team dominated the Long Boat Mixed Category race with a time of 1:30.11, followed by the Hibatang Paddlers of Calbayog City, Samar with 1:33.55, and the CEBU Siargao Dragons of Siargao with 1:33.99.

They also ruled the Small Boat Category with a time of 1:44.23, in second place was the Hongkong University Dragon Boat Team with 1:49.14, and the Amihan Dragon Boat Team of Davao City with 1:53.07.

In the Small Boat Open Category, the PH Navy team bested competitors with a time of 1:16.61, followed by the United Dragons Heart of Dumaguete City with 1:19.95 and the CEBU Siargao Dragons with 1:20.26.

Likewise, the Navy team topped the Small Boat Women Category after clocking 1:30.82 at the finish line, followed by the RMMC Bluefins-A Team of General Santos City with 1:31.32, and the Hibatang Paddlers with 1:31.73.

As overall champion, the PH Navy Team garnered 158 total points with the RMMC Bluefins Dragon Boat Team A trailing with with 114 points, and the United Dragon Hearts with 109 points.

The Navy team received a cash prize of PHP200,000 and medals, the second placer with PHP150,000, and the third with PHP100,000.

The winners in each category were also given trophies and medals.

Dapa town Mayor Elizabeth Matugas led the awarding ceremony on Sunday evening as she thanked the teams and the athletes for their participation in the international event.

New international event

Meanwhile, in an interview Monday, the mayor said Siargao Island is not only known now worldwide due to the international surfing and game fishing tournaments but also to highly-competitive dragon boat races.

“At the moment, we can say that Siargao is not all about waves and fishes. We have beautiful water sceneries here in Dapa which are perfect for non-motorized water sports such as the dragon boat,” Matugas said.

The event, she added, has gathered 28 teams and nearly 1,000 athletes in Dapa to race in a thrilling display of their strength, resilience, and camaraderie.

“The event will put our town on the tourism map and has brought business opportunities with all the accommodation facilities and services fully booked for the past three days,” Matugas said. (PNA)