CEBU, Philippines - You may call it beginner's luck or the boy is simply talented.
Neophyte thrower Jon Dean Durano of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) swiftly made an impact in athletics scene after he bagged the first gold of the 16th Milo Little Olympics-Visayas Regional Finals yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Being a first-timer in the multi-sport event, the 11-year-old Durano did not expect he will reign supreme in the elementary boys discus throw event with a distance of 18.59 meters.
“I never expected that I will win because this is my first time to join in the Milo Little Olympics. I don’t have enough experience because I was only trained for three months. I felt very lucky. For me, I consider this triumph as a dream come true, it was very fulfilling and a memorable one,” said the sixth-grader Durano.
Durano’s potential was discovered by his coach Angelito Villaver, who scouted him during the selection of athletes. He never cared even if it was Durano’s first time because he believed that latter will be developed through constant training.
“During the try-outs, I already saw a great potential from Durano, that’s why I was not hesitant in including him in the line-up. During the practices, he was very diligent and determined that’s why he was able to reap the fruit of all his labors,” said Villaver.
Interestingly, Durano also secured gold medal in shot put in 9.23m. He will shoot for a treble when he competes in javelin throw today.
CIT-U starts with a blast
CIT-U elementary tracksters made an impressive start with five golds in athletics.
Aside from Durano’s two golds, three young Technologians topped their respective events in high jumpers John Marvin Rafols and Mary Angeline Treyes and Bora Rose Saragena in secondary girls shot put.
The University of Cebu (UC) followed CIT-U with four golds courtesy of its secondary bets in Roy Villahermosa in 110m and 400m hurdles and 400m and Jersell Cabatino in high jump.
Kong sets swim record
Motivated by an unfortunate incident last year, Michael Ichiro Kong came back with a vengeance, posting the first of only two records broken in swimming.
Kong failed to make a grand exit in the elementary division due to a left wrist injury that had to be operated last year.
But instead of getting discourage, Kong reserved his energy and made a big impact this time.
“I was not expecting this. All I just wanted was to get it done well enough. But of course, I’m happy and I dedicate this to my team (UC) and my teammates,” said the 12-year-old Kong.
Kong debuted in the secondary division by breaking John Beltran’s 2:34.37 record in 200m individual medley with his 2:32.42 clocking.
The other record-breaker of the day at the pool was Bohol Wisdom School’s Job Vincent Asinero, who broke an 11-year-old record mark of Raymond Montebon in the elementary boys 50m breaststroke, from 38.90 to 38.25 seconds.
Karen Mae Indaya failed to establish a record, but the Labangon Elementary School tanker has something to brag about as she led the winners' cast in the elementary level with four golds, so far, as Cebu Eastern College’s Anthony Linn Navarro and Silliman University’s Ana Daniela Paraiso shone brightly in the secondary divisionwith two golds each.
Football
Don Bosco Technology Center surprised everyone as it kicked out elementary defending champion Paref-Springdale in convincing fashion, 2-0.
DBTC's Rafael Roa and Jon Reña crushed the hearts of Paref-Springdale booters and their supporters.
Thus, DBTC sets up a semis showdown against Bright Academy, which outlasted SHS-Ateneo de Cebu.
The other semis duel pits Canduman versus SHS-Hijas de Jesus. Canduman dismissed Cebu City Central School, 6-0, while SHS-Hijas de Jesus outsmarted Colegio dela Inmaculada-Mandaue,1-0.
In the secondary level, DBTC blankedMandaue Technical Institute, 8-0. (FREEMAN)