Cebu Mighty Dragons brace for busy weekend

CEBU, Philippines — The iron-willed paddlers under the banner of Sugbu Mighty Dragons go separate ways this weekend but with one common goal,  bring home the bacon.

SMD's men’s team will be competing in the 2018 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Race at the Liyu Lake in Hualien, Taiwan.

They will see action in the 200-meter open category against teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, China and even against fellow Pinoys, thanks to Bugsay Pilipinas who gave a slot for this promising Cebu paddlers.

Coached by Jimmy Petilo of the Philippine Airforce Dragon Boat Team, the Sugbu Mighty Dragons is skippered by Arnold Guinocor.

The rest of its members are Zaldy Delgado, Johnrey Villaruz, Louie Jhune Mendez, Ludivino Alvez, Jr., Vard Keem Atuel, Jan Paul Tan, Nino Michael Baring, Sherman Murcia, Myk Azcona and Argy Bermejo, while Ursulo Dimpas takes charge of drum duties.

The Hualien Pacific event is the first international race for the men's crew of Sugbu Mighty Dragons. As such, they allocated five days a week of boat training at the Cebu Yacht Club, strength and conditioning exercises at Golds Gym Cebu, and twice a week pool training at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Sugbu Mighty Dragons' female bets, on the other hand, will be joining in the Paddle for Womanity at Tambobo Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Like their men's counterparts, they have also been going a rigid training as they take on the other strong squads all over the country.