PROUD DABAWENYO: Mati skimboarder wins in Malaysia

NOTE VETTED BY CNN

Photo credit to MY LIFE ON BOARD

Sonny Boy Bayogyog, representing his home town, Mati, Davao Oriental made an astonishing victory over 2011 champion, DC skimboard athlete Arjun Jimenez from Cebu. This high flying local of Mati, Davao Oriental became popular in his skimboarding videos that’s why skimboarding enthusiast in Penang anticipated the action of the 2012 international skimboard competition.

Video by Penirrytu

Video credit to NIVLA ARAGREV

By Ben O. Tesiorna

A champion skimboarder from Mati City shines in Malaysia after winning the 6th International Skimboarding competition in Penang, Malaysia last week.

His first time to attend the annual international tilt, Sonny Boy "Bayogyog" Aporbo bested other participants from all over the world to grab the title. Other participants were from Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Holland and the United States.

Bayogyog's victory is first for the Amihan Boys of Dahican in Mati City but is not first for the Philippines. Last year, Philippines also bagged the championship trophies in both the International Men’s Division and the International Women Division in the same competition which was attended by waveriders from Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Holland, Nigeria, Thailand, Taiwan and China.

The 6th International Skimboarding Competition in Penang, Malaysia was held last September 15-16, 2012.

Penang International Skimboarding Competition is an annual state event of Penang headed by Y.B. Puan Lydia Ong Kok Fooi (Youth & Sports, Women, Family & Community Development) and supported by the Municipal Council of Penang Island (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) and the Penang Sports Council (Majlis Sukan Negeri Pulau Pinang) and the event was organized by Persatuan Skimboarding Pulau Pinang (Penang Skimboarding Association) and Kelab Skimboarding Bersatu (United Skimboarding Club).

Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat readily sent her congratulations to Aporbo and the rest of the Amihan Boys of Dahican. Rabat's administration have long been supporting the Amihan Boys in its quest to produce the best waveriders in the country if not the world.

Rabat said they will give their full support to Bayogyog and the Amihan Boys in the future especially when it comes to joining international competitions.

"It's time that Mati City and Dahican Beach be recognized not just for its beautiful beach and pristine water, now we can take pride of having the best skimboarders in the world," said Rabat.

Aporbo arrived in the Philippines from Malaysia yesterday, Wednesday. BOT

Link from ireportcnn.com