THE ATENEO Rowing Team returned to the international stage and clinched podium finishes in all of their outings in the 2022 ASEAN University Games held from August 3 to 6 at Huai Nam Kham in Sisaket City, Thailand.
The Filipino rowers concluded the tournament with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Aside from bringing pride to their university, the Blue Eagles competed alongside members of the Philippine Team as they showcased their rowing prowess from start to finish.
On the first day, Ateneo Women’s Team Captain Alyssa Go and University of the Philippines’ Kharl Julianne Sha bagged the gold in the lightweight women’s double sculls with a finish of 4 minutes and 06.05 seconds. On the other hand, Ateneo Men’s Team Captain Emmanuel Joseph Obaña and Joachim de Jesus captured the silver medal in the lightweight men’s double sculls event after clocking in at 3 minutes and 23.24 seconds
Ateneans JC Berdin, Jason Chanyungco, Virgilio Calderon II, Dylan Siao, and player reserve Andrei Torres continued the hot streak on the third day of competition, as they conquered the 1000-meter Men’s Four. The crew finished the thrilling race in 3 minutes and 45.96 seconds—good for bronze. Capping off the campaign, Kyra Sandejas, Emilia Abalos, Carissa Ultra, Wylene Lu, and Mireille Qua then bagged a bronze in the Women’s Four, clocking in at 4 minutes and 11.4 seconds.
“I feel like we owe our success to everyone in the team because each and every one of us has placed so much work and effort into the competition. Though not all of us were from Ateneo, the team was very welcoming and warm towards the national team members and the opponents throughout the competition,” Go said when asked about the team’s experience in Thailand.
As the tournament concluded, the Ateneo Rowing Team’s participation in the Rowing & Traditional Boat events of the ASEAN University Games contributed to the Philippines’ total medal count of 13 medals. The country finished seventh place overall out of 11 competing countries, with hosts Thailand taking first place overall with 212 medals.
