Cadiz City’s pride, 11-year-old para-athlete Zach Lucas Obsioma, once again proved his dominance in the pool by securing three gold medals at the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet 2025 in Antique.
Competing in the orthopedically handicapped (OH) category, Obsioma triumphed in the 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter breaststroke events, making him the only Cadizeño para-athlete to achieve this remarkable feat.
The competition was held at the Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, from March 1 to 7.
Obsioma also clinched three golds at the WVRAA Meets in 2024 and 2023, and he brought home two golds and one silver medal in the 64th Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City in 2024.
His consistent excellence in swimming has made him a symbol of perseverance and strength, inspiring many young athletes in Cadiz and beyond, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said on Friday, March 7.
Obsioma is a “modern sports hero” who continues to defy the odds, among other challenges as a person with disability (PWD), Escalante said.
“He (Zach) is resilient, brave and determined”, Escalante added.
Cadiz’s badminton team also made an impressive showing at the WVRAA meet, securing multiple medals across various categories, the mayor said.
Here are the following results:
Secondary Boys:
•Lovic Javier (Singles) – Gold
•Cris Ivan Dosano (Singles) – Silver
•AJ Laurence Jurada & Reynier Dalimo-os (Doubles) – Gold
Secondary Girls:
•Alexis Repetillo (Singles) – Gold
•Valerie Marcial & Marionet De Dios (Doubles) – Gold
Secondary Mixed Doubles:
•AJ Laurence Jurada & Blessy Faith Engle – Gold
Elementary Boys:
•Ryan John Broniola (Singles) – Gold
•Theo Jude Depositario & Joshua Layao (Doubles) – Gold
Elementary Girls:
•Blessy May Villaflor & Ydrianna Balista (Doubles) – Gold
Elementary Mixed Doubles:
•Ryan John Broniola & Blessy May Villaflor – Gold
Gold medalist Lovic Caceres Javier thanked his coaches, parents, and above all, God, for guiding him to victory.
Assistant coach Jordan Sun thanked all those who supported the Cadiz delegation, including the Cadiz mayor, the City Council, Schools Division Superintendent Arlene Bermejo, Coach Ernesto Layao Jr. of the Cadiz Jaguar Badminton Academy (JBA), DepEd coaches, school principals, and the dedicated athletes.
“This win is a testament to our collective effort. We all played a part in making this happen. I am incredibly proud of everyone. To God be the glory,” Sun said.
The outstanding performance of Cadiz athletes reflects the city’s unwavering commitment to sports excellence, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness on and off the field, Escalante said.
They start teaching their athletes young, at an early age of five, he said*