Central Visayas’ Razel Cabajar uses late grandmother as inspiration in National Prisaa
Tagbilaran City, Bohol – Turning tragedy into inspiration.
That is what Razel Cabajar has been doing in the ongoing National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games 2018 here.
And so far, the 19-year-old Cabajar has been rewarded with four gold medals and one silver with two more events in today’s final day of the swimming competition at the Aquatic Center Victoriano D. Tirol Jr. Sports Complex here.
Cabajar won the gold medals in the 200-meter butterfly, 50m freestyle, 200m medley relay and 200m freestyle relay with her teammates. Her silver came from the 100m butterfly.
The medals that she’ve won so far in this multi-sporting event, which will enter its penultimate day today, has had more meaning because of the promise she made to her grandmother, who, about two weeks ago, died due to complications to her lungs.
“I am happy that I did not disappoint her,” said the University of San Carlos (USC) tanker representing Central Visayas.
While her grandmother was unconscious in the hospital, she had whispered to her that she will win all of her events in the PRISAA for her. A few hours after that, her grandmother passed away.
“I am practically using her as my inspiration,” the incoming first year Biology student said. “I was heartbroken when she died. Before I swim, I seek her aid.”
Today, Cabajar will compete in the 200 Individual Medley and 50m butterfly events.
Another Central Visayas athlete who also overcame unfortunate circumstances was trackster Melody Perez, also a Carolinian, who completed a gold treble by adding the 10,000m run to her achievements in this year’s National PRISAA.
A strained hip misdiagnosed as hernia almost ended Perez’s campaign but through the help of others and her own determination to compete in this PRISAA, Perez made it. However, no one believed that she could win a medal much less a gold because of her medical condition as well as having only less than two weeks of training. But Perez defied them all even herself and now for the first time and in her third stint, she can proudly go home with three gold medals.
Central Visayas’ senior and youth divisions had contrasting fates yesterday. While the seniors stayed on track and solidified its hold of the top spot, the youth dropped to second place behind Region 6 (Western Visayas).
The current medal tally for the seniors is at 46 gold medals, 31 silvers and 22 bronze medals. However, this does not count yet the 7-9-3 contribution of the swimmers yesterday and the 4-3-1 haul of the athletics team, also yesterday.
In the seniors division, trailing Central Visayas was Western Visayas with a medal count of 22-24-18 while at third is Region 9 (Western Mindanao) with a 16-5-3 medal tally.
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