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Ashoka Fellow JP Maunes PADS Dragonboat Team
Source: Ashoka Fellow JP Maunes PADS Dragonboat Team

PH team rules Para Dragonboat Championships in HK

This article originally appeared on ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – For the second year in a row, the Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc. (PADS) Dragonboat Team was triumphant at the International Para Dragonboat Championships.

The competition was part of the 9th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, held last June 22 to 24 at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

The PADS Dragonboat Team collected a total of 14 points in the two legs of the 400-m standard boat international paradragon division.

They bested six other teams to rule the event for the second year in a row.

"We dedicate this victory to the plight of thousands of Filipinos with disabilities," the team said in a statement. "We also want to dedicate this triumph to the Filipinos in Hong Kong who took care of the needs of the team, took a stand to leave their day jobs, and cheered side by side with the team."

"May this win uplift their hearts and national pride."

The team stressed that their triumph in Hong Kong shows that dragonboat "is for all," and not just for a chosen few.

"Our combined disabilities is our greatest strength," the team said.

About 160 teams with over 4,500 athletes from all over the world competed in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival.

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