Philippine Dragons gear up for Guangzhou Asian Games

he Philippine National Dragon Boat team has been gearing up for the 16th Asian Games in November, participating in several conditioning races that serve as qualifying competitions where the paddlers can gauge their strength and progress against other teams.
In the 2010 Macau International Races 500m distance Open Category, the Men’s Team competed against China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, Singapore National Team and the San Francisco Cardinal Crewzers (Mix), while the Women’s Team faced China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China Nanhai Xiqiao, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, and the Singapore National Team.
The Men’s National Team was 2nd runner up against the two Chinese Teams, clocking at 1:54:665 and the Women’s National Team was 3rd runner up behind three Chinese Teams, with the clock at 2:05:574.


In Zhouqing City, the men’s team got the silver in the 500m and a bronze in the 250m distances. The ladies, on the other hand, got the bronze in the 1000m, silver in the 500m and another bronze in the 250m distances.
Dragon Boat races started as an old Chinese festival that commemorates the heroic poet Qu Yuan who protested against corruption by drowning himself 2000 years ago. This year, Dragon Boat Racing will debut in the 16th Asian Games in GuangZhou, China. This young sport is very visible in the 16th Asian Dragon Boat websites and TV ads. It shall be celebrated not as a festival but as a sport where the best of the Asian Teams shall come together to vie for the top spot. Dragon Boat racing is one of China’s prides and their athletes, their jewels; for the longest time the Chinese had dominated this sport.
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team is supported by its sponsors PHILEX Mining Corp. and Spyder Eyewears and Sports Gear. The team needs more support in their preparation for the Asian Games.