Press Release: 2-TIME WORLD CHAMPS PHILIPPINE DRAGON BOAT FEDERATION AIM TO SET NEW WORLD RECORDS IN FLORIDA, USA

Cobra Energy Drink, Official Partner of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), together with Philippine Airlines, Official Carrier of the PDBF to the 10^th International Dragon Boat World Championships, held a send-off press con luncheon at Capone’s A Venue to rally support for the back-to-back world champs.
 

The PDBF are slated to compete in the 10^th IDBF World Championships from August 3-7 at Tampa, Florida, USA.  Headed by Team Captain Usman Anterola,  the 25 champion paddlers are a mix of Philippine Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guards personnel, and reinforced by the best civilian women paddlers. 

Despite lack of funding and numerous setbacks, the PDBF have been garnering numerous accolades worldwide since 2003 when they were formally organized in order to give autonomy to various private dragon boat clubs in the country.  

The PDBF is a founding member of the IDBF.  Per IDBF and Sports Accord, PDBF is the only recognized governing body for dragon boat racing in the Philippines.  The IDBF is the world governing authority for dragon boat racing as a sport.  

The PDBF is also a Founding Member of the Asian Dragon Boat Federation (ADBF), South East Asian Traditional Boat Association (SEATBA).

The IDBF World Championship is held every 2 years.  In 2007, the PDBF won the Gold for Men’s 200 meters in Sydney, Australia and set a then world record of 42.16 seconds.  

In 2009, the PDBF successfully defended its world title and set a new world record of 40.02 seconds at the World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.  The Philippines doubled its gold medal haul as it also won the Mixed Division.

In the ADBF Championships, the PDBF won 2 Golds in Penang, Malaysia in 2008 and 1 Gold in Mianyang, China in 2004.

Early this year, the PDBF were officially invited by the IDBF Tampa Organizers to defend their title in the Premier Mens and Mixed competition classes.  Pressed for funds, the chances were slim for the PDBF to fly abroad.

In support of the PDBF’s cause, Official Carrier, Philippine Airlines stepped up to make it possible for the dragon boat world champs to vie for their third consecutive World Titles.

The US Dragon Boat Team’s Head Coach, Bob McNamara said, “The PDBF team are winning and setting world records with athletes of the finest character and well-respected by their competitors from across the globe.  They have represented the Philippine nation in an outstanding fashion, in my opinion.”

Official Partner Cobra Energy Drink fully supports the PDBF and the advancement of Dragon Boat as a sport because of their shared values in the embodiment of true strength through perseverance, determination and the will to succeed.  Cobra is also Official Sponsor of the ongoing, “Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta 2011”, which is run by the PDBF in Manila Bay.