Philippines bets sustain charge at Arafura

MANILA, Philippines — Zoe Marie Hilario came away with two victories, including the 200m backstroke in record fashion, to lead another Philippine golden assault in the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia last Monday.

Hilario had actually set a Games record of 2:47.69 during the heats in the 15-16 age bracket, which she improved to 2:30.63 for the gold that came after topping the 200m fly in 2:28.76.

The Filipino bets racked up eight victories for a 10-gold effort, including five via records times, raising their haul to 28 gold medals and surpassing the country’s 27-gold take when the event was last held in 2011. 

The Philippines has 41 silvers and 24 medals.

Ivo Nikolai Enot took his second gold medal with a victory in the (13-14) 200m backstroke in record time after clocking two minutes and 21.42 seconds, surpassing the Games record of 2:24.70 he set in the heats.

Ray Martin Yarra and John Martin Yarra shattered the Games records in winning the (13-14) 200m fly (2:25.59), and (the 17-above) 200m fly (2:15.05), respectively.

John Paul Elises and Samuel Alcos broke the Games records in ruling the (15-16) 200m fly (2:14.47), and the (17-above) 50m backstroke (29.77), respectively.

Other winners were Romel Bautista in the 400m hurdles, and the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams in athletics.

But Phillip Delarmino and Ryan Jakiri lost in their preliminary bouts in muay.

Boxing, meanwhile, starts today at the Darwin Convention Center while the Filipino cagers go up against the New Caledonia side at the Marrara Indoor Stadium. Ariel Lampacan will also compete in muay.