Belibestre wins first PH gold at ASEAN School Games

MANILA, Philippines – Jerry Belibestre, a 17-year-old freshman college student from Bacolod, won the Philippines’ first gold medal in the ASEAN School Games in Brunei Monday. 

Track statistician Andrew Pirie, in a private message in Facebook, said Belibestre leapt 7.47 meters to victory in the long jump event. Belibestre failed to break the Philippine junior record of 7.53 meters held by his coach in Brunei, Joebert Delicano.

A Thai jumper was second at 7.09 meters and a Malaysian landed third in 7.04 meters, added Pirie.

Belibestre’s achievement made him the fourth best jumper in the Philippines after SEA Games winner Donovont Arriola, a Fil-Am, who cleared 7.64 meters, Pirie confirmed to Rappler.com. 

Number two is Julian Fuentes’ 7.55, followed by Janry Ubas’ 7.50 and Belisbestre’s leap. Belibestre is being handled by Miguel Arca of University of Recoletos-Bacolod, who, along with his sister Addy, have been unearthing talents from public schools in recent years.

“That is a good jump,” said Renato Unso, secretary general of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, of Belibestre’s jump in a text message to Rappler.com. 

Belibestre, the shortest at 5-foot-5 in a field of 7 jumpers in Brunei, makes up for his size with his power and by staying longer in the air, which allows him to gain more length. He uses the hitch-kick technique, which is like literally walking on air. – Rappler.com