𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫–𝐏𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧

MANDAUE CITY, PHILIPPINES — August 26, 2026 — After a two-year absence from the international stage, the Omega Pain Killer–PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team is set to make its highly anticipated return to the 15th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Club Crew World Championships, scheduled for August 29 to September 7, 2026, at Liyu Lake in Hualien, Taiwan.

The Cebu-based PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team has been endorsed by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) to represent the Philippines in the Paradragon Division ( PD 1 and PD 2 Categories) of the IDBF Club Crew World Championships.

The team will compete in the 200-meter, 500-meter, and 2,000-meter race distances, once again carrying the Philippine flag into one of the world’s biggest international dragon boat competition. This year, more than 5,500 athletes and supporters from 21 countries competing in multiple divisions including the Premier, Senior A/ B/ C, Under 24, Junior U18, Paradragon, Breast Cancer Paddlers(BCP) and All Cancer Paddlers(ACP) Categories.

A Return After Two Years Away

The 2026 World Championships mark an important comeback for PADS after missing the 2024 and 2025 World Championships, held in Italy and Germany, respectively.

For a team with a remarkable history of international success, the absence was a difficult chapter. But the PADS paddlers continued to carry the spirit of perseverance that has defined their journey from the beginning.

Now, after two years away from the world stage, the team returns to competition determined to reclaim its place among the elite Paradragon crews in the world.

“We are coming back not simply to compete, but to once again show what Filipino adaptive athletes can achieve when given the opportunity to compete at the highest level,”  Owen Loceno, team captain said.

A Legacy of Making History

The PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team has established itself as the Philippines' most successful adaptive dragon boat team building a legacy of excellence and breaking barriers for abled-bodied and  athletes with disabilities.

The team's international achievements include a historic victory at the 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, in 2023, as well as winning the 13th IDBF Club Crew World Championships , Sarasota, Florida USA in 2022.

PADS recently competed successfully at the Penang Intenational Dragon Boat Festival in Penang Malaysia last November 27-December 2, 2025.

The team's international success stretches even further. PADS became back-to-back champions of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival–International Paradragon Championships in 2017 and 2018, establishing itself as a dominant force in international Paradragon racing.

The team's historic 2023 victory was also widely recognized in Philippine sports media, highlighting the achievement of Cebu's PADS paddlers on the international stage.

These victories are more than a collection of medals. They represent years of dedication and training while helping redefine what is possible for Filipino athletes with disabilities as PADS celebrates its 10^th year anniversary after starting its adaptive dragon boat program in 2016.

More Than a Race

For PADS, the upcoming World Championships are about more than defending a championship legacy.The team’s participation is a powerful statement about inclusion, resilience, determination, and the transformative power of sport. Every paddle  represents the athletes' commitment to excellence and their determination to prove that physical disability should never prevent anyone from pursuing a dream for the last 10 years.

The PADS athletes will compete against some of the world's strongest Paradragon crews, facing three demanding race distances that will test their speed, endurance, synchronization, strategy, and mental toughness.

The 200-meter race will demand explosive power and speed. The 500-meter event will test the team's ability to sustain intensity and maintain technical precision, while the grueling 2,000-meter race will challenge the crew's endurance, discipline, and ability to remain synchronized over a longer distance.

Carrying the Philippine Flag

The PADS delegation heads to Hualien, Taiwan presented by Omega Pain Killer Brand this August 27,2026 via Cebu Pacific Air and will have 6 hour layover in Manila first before heading to Taipei, Taiwan. With the support of JCI Metro Cebu Uptown along with sister chapter JCI Taiwan- Grass Mountain assisted PADS in securing their team accommodation and logistical needs in Hualien.

For the athletes, representing the Philippines is both an honor and a responsibility.

They will carry with them not only the colors of the Philippine flag, but also the hopes of Filipino athletes who continue to seek greater opportunities in international competitive sports.

After two years away from the world's biggest Paradragon competitions, the return to the international stage is especially meaningful. The team knows the competition will be tough. But PADS also knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

From Pattaya, Thailand to Florida, USA, from previous World Championships to the shores of Liyu Lake, the team's journey has always been defined by one simple principle:Never stop paddling.

As the Omega Pain Killer–PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team takes to the waters of Liyu Lake, the team will once again race with the heart of a champion and the pride of a nation.

Two years away. A legacy to defend. A new chapter to write.

PADS is back on the world stage.

OMEGA PAIN KILLER–PADS ADAPTIVE DRAGON BOAT RACING TEAM invites the Filipino Community specially in Taiwan to watch and support the team as they represent the Philippines — Paradragon Division, 15th IDBF Club Crew World Championships
Liyu Lake, Hualien, Taiwan this August 29–September 7, 2026

One team, One Dream, One Family, Bugsay Hangtud Mabuang!