The Varsitarian

HAVING six women in an 18-man roster was never a disadvantage at all for the determined rowers of the Aqua Fortis Dragon Boat Rowing Team 2004, as they placed third among 87 squads at the 2004 Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship last June 20 - 22.

The “underdogs” just refused to submit to the furious rowers from Thailand, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, South Africa, The United States, Japan Malaysia and many more.

The Thomasian-laden squad was among the top three teams in the international men’s division, losing only to Thailand for a shot at the gold. Led by senior team officials Christopher Cueto, Engr. Earnest Versoza, Captain Ednel Versoza, and vice-captain Sarah Faye Galan, the Aqua Fortis never lost determination while competing in the restless waters of the Keelung Riverside Sports Park.

“We never lost our spirit, and that gave us our opponents’ respect. We were even given a standing ovation by the athletes and the spectators,” Cueto said.

The Aqua Fortis is now eyeing a possible gold-medal performance at the upcoming 17th Thailand International Swan Boat Championships from September 11 to 12 in Bangkok. Dino Paulo T. Maragay