Tabal to continue chasing Olympic dream, eyes two more qualifying races
There’s no stopping Cebuana runner Mary Joy Tabal in her bid for a slot in the Rio Olympics.
Though she failed in her first try in the 2016 Boston Marathon last April 18, the 26-year-old petite runner is not giving up, as she eyes two more qualifying races abroad.
The country’s Marathon Queen, who was recently named Athlete of the Year in the 34th Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC)-San Miguel Brewery Cebu Sports Awards, was barely four minutes shy of making the Olympic qualifying time of two hours and 45 minutes in Boston.
“It really hurt me but it doesn’t stop there. I am still going to chase my Olympic dream. That was just the beginning,” Tabal said.
Tabal and her team, including coach John Philip Duenas and her major backer, Motor Ace Philippines, are looking at another Olympic qualifier in Canada and Denmark.
“When Joy said she was willing to try it out again, we were in it too. We will support her all the way,” said Motor Ace Philippines president Jonel Borromeo.
Borromeo said they are still verifying for available slots. He is also hoping that Tabal’s visa application will be processed as soon as possible with the Olympics fast approaching.
But before going for another Olympic slot, Motor Ace Philippines will send Tabal back to Japan for more training.
“I will be more focused now because I know failures are part of success but I still have to work hard for it,” said Tabal.
Asked what pushes her to continue her Olympic dream, Tabal said it is the support of her countrymen.
“They never let me down. They encouraged me and gave me their all-out support. They are always at my back, which really helps me get up again.”
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