Thirteen Medals, Thirteen Stories
OZAMIZ CITY - Behind every gold medal is a learner who had to balance training with schoolwork, preparation with ordinary student responsibilities, and competition with the pressure of representing a community. Ozamiz’s recognition of 13 gold medalists gives those individual efforts their own space in the city’s youth celebration. The athletes earned their medals during the 2026 NMRAA Meet, held in Bukidnon from March 19 to 24. DepEd Ozamiz City had prepared its qualifiers through intensive training activities before the regional competition, showing that participation involved preparation long before the athletes stepped onto their respective playing areas. Their recognition now adds another meaningful chapter to those journeys.
From Regional Competition to a Proud Homecoming
The NMRAA 2026 results provide a wider picture of the achievement surrounding these young competitors. Misamis Occidental finished as the overall champion with 91 gold, 86 silver, and 89 bronze medals, with Ozamiz City among the participating school divisions supporting the One Asenso MisOcc delegation. The Division of Ozamiz City also issued a memorandum recognizing the achievements of its NMRAA delegation following the competition. Months later, the 13 gold medalists were given another opportunity to be celebrated during the city’s Linggo ng Kabataan activities. This separate recognition matters because medals can record results, while ceremonies give communities a chance to remember the people behind them.
A Celebration That Keeps Young Achievers in the Spotlight
The timing of the recognition also connects naturally with Ozamiz’s broader youth activities. In August, the city opened the first SK Asenso Ozamiz Sports League as part of Linggo ng Kabataan, bringing athletes from all 46 barangays together for organized competition. PIA reported that the league was designed to encourage teamwork, leadership, discipline, and sportsmanship among young participants. Against that backdrop, honoring the 13 NMRAA gold medalists offers an inspiring example of what young people can accomplish through sport. Their medals represent individual victories, but their stories can also encourage other students to discover their abilities, commit to their training, and pursue opportunities where their own talents can grow.
