PH bags second #ASG2014 gold medal in javelin

MARIKINA CITY, Philippines – The Philippines clinched its second ever gold in ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) history, finishing on top in the boys’ javelin event of athletics Wednesday, December 3.

Joshua Patalud won gold after scoring a 59.45-meter throw, topping Malaysia’s Jali Bin Omar (54.79 meters), and Indonesia’s Chun Soon Kon (53.78 meters).

“I’m really happy because I really worked hard for it. I could’ve done better but the results were still good,” Patalud said. 

The 17-year-old said the win was unexpected since his competitors were bigger in built. 

“I was very intimidated because the other players were bigger and looked stronger than me. I saw them practice and they really knew the sport,” he added.

Record breaker

The 17-year-old from De La Salle Zobel started the sport when he was in Grade 6. After a year of practice, he started competing in the Palarong Pambansa.

“I didn’t do well in my first Palarong Pambansa experience. I started to really focus and eventually, I got through,” Patalud said.

In 2014, he broke a Palaro record with a 61.46-meter throw. This earned him silver while his rival Bryan Pacheco – who won the Philippines’ first ever gold in ASG – took first place.

He said he owes his gratitude to his parents. “They’re very supportive. They always take care of my needs and cheer for me in my games.”

Priorities first

Patalud dreams of competing internationally but he said sports isn’t currently his priority. 

“It’s hard to balance sometimes but I try to focus on being a student more than being an athlete,” he said.

Focusing on his studies, he added, would give him a brighter future.

“It’s my future. I don’t think there’s really a big future in sports. It’s not a big business. I need to focus in school so I have more chances of being successful in the future,” he concluded. – Rappler.com