John Marvin Rafols (third from left) shows his gold medal after winning the boys’ triple jump event in the ongoing Asean School Games in Singapore. With him are teammate Karl Arvyn Aquino (second from left), and their coaches.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Cebuano Rafols tops triple jump event in Asean meet
After winning a bronze medal in the boys’ long jump competition, Cebuano jumper John Marvin Rafols finally clinched a gold medal after ruling the triple jump event in the Asean School Games in Singapore on Monday.
The 18-year-old Cebuano student athlete of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters not only won the gold medal but also recorded a new personal best of 15.02 meters, eclipsing his previous best of 14.77m which he logged at the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Finals in Tagum City.
“I am really happy to bring honor to my country. [It’s a] big blessing for me as an athlete,” said the Grade 12 student of UC.
Rafols admitted the road to the top wasn’t that easy as he went up against elite student athletes from different Southeast Asian countries.
But he kept himself focused on the task at hand.
“Competing in an international meet like this needs confidence. You are up against yourself not your fellow competitors.”
He also got some help.
“I prayed a lot before the competition because I was going up against the best athletes out there and I know that these athletes are way better than who I competed against in the Palarong Pambansa and other national meets,” Rafols, who is a first timer in the Asean School Games, said.
Rafols’ gold was the country’s 10th in the sporting meet.
Thai Srinonta Nattapong (14.91m) finished with the silver while fellow Pinoy Karl Arvyn Aquino (14.88m), who already won a gold in the long jump event, settled for a bronze.
The eldest among four siblings, Rafols revealed that he was a basketball player during his elementary years but was recruited as track and field athlete in high school.
“They say I have a strong leaping ability. Even though basketball is my first love I decided to pursue in athletics because this is where I shine,” said Rafols.