Young Filipino archers bring 30-medal haul to PSC

Young Filipino archers won 13 gold, 10 silver, and seven bronze medals at the recent Singapore Youth Archery Championships, completing a 30-medal campaign at Bukit Gombak Stadium.

The tournament was primarily staged for archers aged 18 and younger, although its program also included an under-21 compound category.

The Philippine delegation consisted of 21 archers, five coaches, and five team officials.

The team later paid a courtesy call on Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio on Wednesday following its successful three-day stint.

Gregorio and PSC Commissioner Edward Hayco welcomed the delegation and congratulated the athletes for their successful campaign.

“This is the resurgence of Philippine archery,” said Gregorio.

World Archery Philippines President Bing Reaport said the performance reflected the federation’s efforts to rebuild the national program.

“It’s time to bring back the glory days of Philippine archery. Para sa bayan ito,” Reaport said.

The tournament drew archers from China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Laos, the Philippines, and host Singapore.

The Filipino archers were guided by South Korean coaches Ryu Su Jeng and Hong Sung Chil as part of the PSC-backed effort to strengthen the national archery program.

Ryu coached South Korea to five Olympic gold medals across the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Tokyo Games, officially designated as the 2020 Olympics but held in 2021.

Hong won a gold medal at the 1999 World Archery Championships.

Five Filipino archers secured gold medals on the final day of competition.

Mariano Matteo Medina won the under-15 men’s recurve title while General Marc Bangoy topped the under-18 men’s recurve division.

Leila Jell Cano captured the under-18 women’s recurve gold medal.

Mateusz Vaughn Johnson ruled the under-18 men’s compound category.

Abigail Lim won the under-21 women’s compound title.

Chass Mhavien Colas earned silver in the under-18 men’s recurve event.

Zac Zayco added another silver medal in the under-18 men’s compound competition.