A 12-year-old Sagaynon athlete delivered the first gold medal for the Negros Island Region in its Palarong Pambansa comeback after topping the Elementary Girls Javelin Throw in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Monday, May 25.
Marjen Iwayan of Brgy. Vito, Sagay City ruled the event at the D.O. Plaza Government Center Sports Complex on the first competitive day of the national games.
Iwayan, a graduating elementary student of Vito Elementary School, is the daughter of Jennylyn, a child caretaker, and Mario, a construction worker.
She recorded a 47.20-meter throw, coming close to the 49.77-meter Palarong Pambansa record set last year.
Iwayan said this was her second Palarong Pambansa appearance and her second gold medal, after also winning gold in the Elementary Girls High Jump representing Western Visayas last year.
She thanked God for the achievement and expressed gratitude to provincial and city officials, as well as the Schools Division Office of Sagay City, for supporting her journey to the Palaro.
On May 27, Iwayan will still compete in the high-jump and discus throw events and she said that she hopes to bring home more gold for NIR.
In a Facebook post, DepEd-NIR said Iwayan’s victory gave Team Visayan Vipers its breakthrough gold in this year’s national meet.
The regional education office said her performance reflected skill and preparation, giving NIR an early morale boost as the competitions continue.
Iwayan was coached by Renan Perdon and Norven Ledesma, DepEd-NIR said.
DepEd-Sagay OIC Superintendent Dannie Clark Uguil also congratulated Iwayan, describing the win as both the first gold for NIR and the first gold for Sagay City in this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
“Your victory inspires every young athlete to dream bigger and aim higher,” Uguil said.
Meanwhile, DepEd-NIR also secured another gold medal after Christine Rose Toquero of Escalante National High School won the Secondary Girls Javelin Throw, representing the Schools Division of Escalante City.*
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