Skinny 12-year-old stuns rivals in CLRAA debut

MANILA, Philippines - Nestor Padua, a skinny but technically sound 12-year-old, debuted in style and clinched one of three early gold medals staked in Day 1 yesterday of the 2012 Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association at the refurbished Zambales Sports Complex in Iba.

Representing San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Padua booked an impeccable throw for his age of 42.09 meters to handily win the gold medal in the elementary boys’ javelin.

 “First time ko pong sumali rito at hindi ko naman inasahang ganito ang ibabato ko. Ang dati kong best ay nasa 28 meters sa district meet,” said Padua, a farmers’ son who is a fourth-grader at San Agustin Elementary School.

The meet is held for the first time in Zambales after 18 years, thanks to the all-out support of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and his son, newly-elected Second District Rep. Jun Omar Ebdane.

“Sa pagdaraos ng 2012 CLRAA Meet sa Zambales, naipakita natin na walang imposible. Mula sa malaking lupain na hindi napapakinabangan, andito ngayon at nagkakasama-sama upang maipakita ang kanilang talento sa palakasan ang mga batang atleta na maaaring pagmulan ng isang Olympic gold medalist ng bansa,” said Ebdane in Sunday’s colorful opening ceremonies at the P100-million sports complex.

Padua’s performance not only landed him a spot on the Region III team to the Palarong Pambansa this summer in Pangasinan, but also took home a P10,000 incentive San Jose Mayor Marivic Belena will be giving to all gold medal winners from the delegation.

 “Malaking tulong po ito sa amin at ibibigay ko sa aking mga magulang,” added Padua, the youngest of seven siblings, who needed to stop schooling for the last two years due to financial problems.

Aira Collaine Tiburcio from Tarlac City (8.12m) and Jackielyn Alviar from Munoz City (4.83m) ruled the elementary girls shotput and secondary girls long jump

Action in ball games also opened yesterday with Zambales unleashing its mean form with a 21-0 shutout of Malolos (Bulacan) in the elementary girls softball.

Olongapo City, second to Bulacan in last year’s CLRAA, dumped Aurora, 67-45, to kick off its drive in the secondary girls basketball, while the defending champions routed Balanga, 69-33, in the other game.

Competitions in medal-rich swimming and archery kick off today.