By Ivan Saldajeno
VIGAN--CARAGA walked home the big winner in the cadets division in the secondary level of the Palarong Pambansa wrestling competition on Tuesday at the Barangay IX covered court.
The high school wrestlers from Northeastern Mindanao took home three golds, one silver, and one bronze as they made an early statement in the tournament with the juniors matches yet to be played.
Sherilyn Tagra got CARAGA's first gold for the day in the wrestling arena after defeating Northern Mindanao's Claudil Cabugasan in the under-52 kilogram girls final.
Mhel Narit then scored CARAGA's second gold after beating Khilua Doptante in the boys under-46 kilogram final.
Julius Tejero capped the three-gold haul by ruling the boys under-50 kilogram division, stopping Region 1's Melo Gapasin in the titular fight.
The other CARAGA finalist, Realyn Guevarra, settled for the silver in the girls under-40 kilogram division after bowing to Bicol's Jezza Villaroza in the gold medal match.
Villaroza's win was Bicol's lone gold for the day, but the team also had one silver courtesy of John Mark Loria in the boys under-42 kilogram category and two bronzes from Angelo Aganan (boys under-46) and Romel Bordas (boys under-54).
Loria lost in the championship fight to Jonjie Enyong, and Enyong's gold was the lone medal of Central Visayas for the day.
Eastern Visayas is the only other team with multiple golds on Tuesday, getting two from Lovely Dela Cruz (girls under-44) and Jane Erasmo (girls under-48).
The other champion of the day is CAR's Mark Gama, besting the boys under-54 kilogram division.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno