Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team wins 5th gold in 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa, Florida.

MANILA, Philippines – Many of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team’s opponents in the recently concluded 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships were amazed at the Filipino paddlers.

“They’re really strong,” said a member of the Canadian Dragon Boat team. “Their finish just comes out of nowhere.”

Another Canadian said the Dragon Warriors were “a phenomenal team.”

“You have a YouTube video of the guys (Filipinos paddlers) in Macau, and I think every Canadian who paddles has seen that video and are just in awe of you guys,” said Julien Buaulieu of Canada.

“I don’t think they’re physically any different,” said Robert McNamara of the United States Dragon Boat team. “They just commit to a high level of training, a high level of fitness.”

“They’re able to sustain a stroke rate that we don’t even attempt in the US,” McNamara added.

Meanwhile, members of the Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Boat team said that they emulated the Filipino Dragon Warriors.

“Phenomenal team. We kept trying to be like them, we aspire to be like them,” said one member of the Trinidad and Tobago team. “They are our heroes.”

source: Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News