With ‘lolo’ as his idol, young Pagnanawon starting to make a name… in swimming

Sometimes, it’s a bit difficult being a descendant of a family known for its winning tradition in a certain sport.

Take for example nine-year-old Van Wincy Pagnanawon. He is the son of known Cebuano cyclist Jaybob Pagnanawon, and grandson of 1986 Marlboro Tour champion Rolando Pagnanawon.

The Pagnanawons from Talisay City are known in cycling, and one would expect the young Van Wincy to follow the footsteps of his forefathers and also be a winner.

Wincy, as he is commonly called, is not backing down from the challenge. He doesn’t feel pressured. He wants to be a champion, too. But he wants to try to make a name in a different sport — swimming.

“Gusto gyud ko ani nga sport,” Van Wincy said while he was preparing for his afternoon rounds during the swimming competition of the Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals last weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center. (I really like this sport.) “Ganahan man sad ko ma champion pareha sa akong lolo.” (I also want to be a champion like my grandfather.)

With the determination known in the Pagnanawon genes, Wincy should be among the promising swimmers in Cebu today. And he is on the right track.

He started training for swimming and participated in district meets when he was six. In 2017, he joined the Alaska Ironkids 6-8 years old boys category, finishing second place. That was his debut in triathlon.

Although he settled for just second place in the 100-meter freestyle and third in the 100-meter backstroke events of the annual Milo multisporting meet this year, Wincy is showing a lot of promise.

He trains for three hours everyday and is diligent with his training, a quality the Pagnanawons are known for.

“Usahay kapoyan man. Pero ako nalang huna hunaon nga way kapoy para inig lumba kay kondisyon ako lawas,” said Wincy. (Sometimes it’s tiring. But I just try to not think about it so that my body will always be in good condition during competitions.)

With this undwindling determination, it shouldn’t be long before Wincy becomes a champion just like his grandfather.