Filipino paddlers shine in Shanghai

MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines ruled the two-day 19th Shanghai International Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational held over the weekend.

The Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai said rainy weather did not diminish the Filipino rowers’ power as they ruled the 200-meter straight-track race for 12-person dragon boats on June 18, decisively outpacing teams from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The previous day, they showed their prowess and dominated in the 500-meter event.

Philippine Canoe, Kayak and Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) president Leonora Escalante accompanied the Philippine team and expressed elation over the good showing amid “fierce competition.”

On hand to cheer for the team on Day 2 win and extend enthusiastic congratulations for the impressive win was a delegation from the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, led by Consul General Josel Ignacio.

It marked the first time the Suzhou Creek competition was held after a four-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 52 teams from China and overseas competed in multiple race categories.a

Outside the international segment in which the Philippines competed, the Suzhou event featured “elite category” competitions for 22-person dragon boats in 100-meter, 200-meter, and 500-meter straight-track races. The men’s category had eight competing local teams, with Team Guangdong Foshan emerging as victor.

The women’s category, won by Team Dongguan, featured four local teams. Shanghai Ocean University topped the public category.

The Suzhou Creek race is one leg of the larger 2023 China Dragon Boat Open Tournament.