The Batang Pinoy National Championships kicked off with thrilling performances as Masbate’s Courtney Jewel Trangia and La Union’s Anton Paulo Dominick Della emerged as the early standouts on Sunday, November 24.
Trangia, 17, bagged the first gold medal of the competition in the girls’ discus throw, continuing her dominant streak after winning the same event at the Philippine Athletics Championships in Pasig last April. She delivered a commanding throw of 38.30 meters at the Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex, securing her third consecutive title in the tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.
![Masbate discus thrower Courtney Jewel Trangia (left photo) shows winning form in capturing the first gold [PSC photo]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/received_5428115485332332-e1732455375904.jpeg)
Her coach, Jeric Cabug, praised Trangia for her discipline, saying, “Courtney’s power and teachability make her stand out. She balances academics and athletics impressively.”
Trangia’s success is part of MSA’s consistent excellence, as she joins the ranks of the academy’s top athletes, including fellow gold medalist javelin thrower Ana Bhianca Espenilla, who is set to compete later in the meet.
![Taguig's Ashton Clyde Jose pumps his fist after ruling the boys 14-15-year-old boys 200-meter IM event in the Batang Pinoy National Championships held at the Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex im Puerto Princesa Palawan. [PSC photo]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/received_14808050025823692.jpeg)
Record-Breaking Swim by Della
Meanwhile, 17-year-old swimmer Anton Paulo Dominick Della delivered the event’s first record-breaking performance in the boys’ 200-meter individual medley. Della clocked 2:15.58, eclipsing the previous record of 2:16.66 set by Lucena’s Peter Cyrus Dean last year.
“I wanted to swim faster because I know I’m capable of more,” said Della, who earned five silver medals at the last Palarong Pambansa. Inspired by Kobe Bryant, Della declared, “The job is not yet done. I aim to win more golds and break records in the upcoming Palaro in Ilocos Norte in 2025.”
Additional Gold Medalists
The day also saw standout performances from other athletes:
- Rich Justin Torres of Tarlac captured gold in the boys’ javelin throw with a throw of 12.16 meters.
- Arveen Naeem Taguinota II dominated the boys’ 12-13-year-old 200-meter IM event in 2:22.02, while Taguig’s Ashton Clyde Jose won the 14-15-year-old category with a time of 2:14.08.
- In the girls’ 200-meter IM, victories went to Sophia Rose Garra (12-13 years, 2:31.82), Kyla Louise Bulaga (14-15 years, 2:33.50), and Liaa Margarethe Amoguis (16-17 years, 2:33.25).
Local Athletes Shine
Host city Puerto Princesa celebrated its first gold medal courtesy of swimmer Zachary Joseph Tovera, who won the boys’ 14-15-year-old 50-meter backstroke with a time of 29.95 seconds.
Chess Champions Crowned
In chess, Oscar Cantela and Christian Gian Karlo Arca clinched gold in the rapid event for the boys’ 16-17 and 15-year-old divisions, respectively.
The Batang Pinoy Nationals 2024, supported by the Puerto Princesa City government, Pocari Sweat, and Summit Mineral Water, promises more exciting moments as the competition continues.
