Liloan’s Raph Trinidad first Filipino to medal in world wakeboard championship

Cebuano wakeboarder makes history

CEBU, Philippines — A seventeen-year-old Cebuano wakeboarder etched his name in stone as the first Filipino to make a podium finish in world wakeboard championship.

Raphael ‘Raph’ Pilapil Trinidad, a native of Liloan town north of Cebu, struck the feat after winning silver medal in the men’s open division of the 10th International Waterskii and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Cable Wakeboard Championship over the weekend at the Pampa Cable Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Interestingly, it’s only the first time that Trinidad saw action in the world stage.

You may call it beginner’s luck but it’s definitely one for the books.

Trinidad, competing under the banner of Team Republ1c, scored 75.33 points after two impressive runs in the final round to finish behind his idol Lior Sofer of Israel, who bagged the gold with 78.00 points. Liam Peacock of Great Britain got the bronze with 73.33 points.

It was no less a sweet redemption of sort for Trinidad, who placed only fifth in the junior men Under 19 category.

“#Pilipinas WE FINALLY GOT IT!!!,” exclaimed a jubilant Trinidad in his Facebook page.

“It wasn’t an easy feat, but beyond stoked to land my best run during the finals. I am so proud to bring the first podium finish of Philippine wakeboarding on a world competition.”

Before heading off to the Argentinian capital, Trinidad, who first learned the ropes of this exteme sport at the Cebu Wake Park of Papa Kit’s in his hometown Liloan, showed a lot of promise after pulled off the first ever double half cab roll in the annals of Philippine wakeboarding during the Philippine Cable Wake Nationals last February 2-3 at the Deca Wake Clark Cable Park in Pampanga.

Trinidad’s accomplishments easily made him a potential gold-medal hunter for Phl in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be hosted by the country later this year wherein wakeboarding is among the regular events.

More importantly,  Trinidad added wakeboarding in the shortlist of sports that could end Phl’s decades-long quest for that elusive Olympic gold in the future most especially that wakeboarding is on track for its bid to be part of the 2024 Paris Olympics. (FREEMAN)