Ready, set: Two girls go for the gold
MANILA, Philippines – Sprinting 200 meters, jumping as far as 5 meters and overcoming hurdles. They are feats not all of us can do but they are sure thrilling to watch. "How far will he jump? How fast can she run? How far can they throw a javelin?"
That's the beauty of the Athletics competition.
Running has become a popular sport. You see almost everyone, young and old, running to keep fit or maybe even training for their next marathon.
When Olympic champions breeze through the track and fly over hurdles with ease, we can only watch in awe. And can you imagine how much strength is required to jump from point A to point B?
There are those who don’t find it as exciting as the team sports like basketball or soccer. But there are those who are passionate about Athletics and train hard for their future.
From a tender age
Gianeli Gatinga, 14, is a member of her high school’s Athletics team. Last October 25 she competed in the MILO Little Olympics long jump event.
Asked why she chose to join the Athletics varsity team, she said that she watched other kids run and jump hurdles, and she wanted to do it, too. So back when she was still in elementary, she joined the Athletics team. Over the years, she was trained to become the champion she is today.
LONG JUMP. Gained Gatinga bags a gold medal for the long jump event. Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler
“Our coach always told us to work hard and persevere so we can finish school and be good at what we do,” she said. “I think I’m good because I train hard, I do what I am told and I self-train."
How she started in the long jump event isn't your typical story. She wasn't capable of jumping as far as she can today.
But someone saw her raw potential.
“My coach [back in elementary] saw me playing Chinese garter [during] a break and saw my potential for the long and triple jump events. That was the beginning of it all.”
She has joined MLO 4 times and said that she has won and lost quite a few competitions. She also joined the long and triple jump last year but didn’t win gold. "When I win, it makes me happy and it pushes me to do better in the next event." But when she loses? She trains harder to bag the gold on the next competition.
This year, things were different. She won gold for both the long and triple jump events. “It was my best jump. I jumped 5.15 meters,” she said beaming with pride.
My first gold
Celesdina de Castro is at the top of her game. She and Gianeli are on the same team but compete in different events. They share the same passion for Athletics and have the same big dreams.
But what makes this year extra special for her? She won her first ever individual gold in the 200m event. “I’m really happy that I was able to win this and I also won silver for the 100m.”
She is 16 years old and this is her 3rd time to join MLO.
GOING FOR GOLD. Celesdina de Castro also joined the relay event with 3 other teammates.
I asked her what her parents thought. She says that her mother has never watched her compete because she works in the province and lives far away. The last time her mother watched her game was back in elementary. “If she watches me today, I’ll be more driven to win. I want to make her proud and I believe this win will do just that.” Her father has already passed away and her mother and grandmother support her, and of course, her dreams.
What she likes most about being part of the Athletics team? “You make a name for yourself and people will know you for being really good, but only if you train and don’t cheat the drills.”
Celesdina wants to finish her studies and continue to be a part of the Athletics team in her future college. There are several universities eyeing her for recruitment in the next year, but that's a different story. “There are schools who are interested in getting me but my coach will be the one to help me choose,” she said.
Gianeli and Celesdina both have a future in Athletics. They're both champtions, after all. But they know that being number one in their sport will not only help them reach their dreams but push them to become better students and individuals. – Rappler.com
