Cebu province cyclist Moira Erediano bags Batang Pinoy first gold

TAGUM CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Twelve years old Moira Frances Gabrielle Erediano of the Cebu Province is basking in glory at the moment after she bagged the very first gold medal of the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Championships held Sunday, November 27 at the New Tagum City Hall.

Erediano bagged her gold via the Cycling Criterium Girls 10-13 category after finishing the race in 11 minutes and 40 seconds (11:40).

The Grade 6 student at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu said that she is overjoyed with her achievement as this is her first gold in a national multi-sporting event.

“I am very happy. The feeling is so nice,” said Erediano who started in the sport just two years ago. 

While racing, Erediano said that she kept telling herself that she wants to win, that she wants a podium finish. She says she kept praying until she crossed the finish line first.

This is also Erediano’s first cycling competition. She’s done swimming in the regional meet and just recently she won the 3K title of the Milo Marathon Cebu Leg.

Aside from Erediano’s gold, the Cebu Province also bagged 3 bronze medals in the event via Karen Manayon who finished third both in the Girls 16-17 and Girls 14-15 category, and Jeanna Mariel Canete in the Girls 10-13 category.

Father’s Support

Erediano’s primary sport, however, is triathlon and she trains under the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group of coach Roland Remolino.

Erediano’s father, Fritz, said that his daughter trains twice every day and only takes a break during Sunday.

“I accompany her everyday during practice, that is every morning before class and after class,” said the older Erediano who admitted that he was no athlete in his younger years but that he is supporting his only child because he sees the potential in her.

So it probably does not come as a surprise that Erediano is dedicating her gold medal to her dad who is supporting her all the way. In fact, the father also does his best in finding coaches to further his daughters skills in the sport.

While she is being coached by school coaches Benjoe Gimenez and Jess Arriola for her swimming, it was her father who found Remolino to coach her for triathlon and Dandy Maturan for her running.  

“For as long as she likes, we will continue to support her. Presently her coaches are preparing her for the Youth Olymics 2020. God willing she can qualify as she cannot qualify yet for the 2018 Youth Olympics because of her age,” said her father.

Erediano wants to become a pilot and a dancer when she grows up but she also dreams of someday competing in the Youth Olympics and the Southeast Asian Games.

Asked if he was concerned that their only child might get injured, Fritz Erediano has this to say, “That is a possibility in every sports, that is why we trained hard and wise to prevent and minimize injuries. We have coaches and experts who shares their knowledge to us.

How it all started

Erediano had at first dabbled in swimming. But residing in Lapu-Lapu City affords the 12-year-old to witness the Alaska Ironkids that is held as a side event to the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines hosted by the city annually since 2012. That influenced her to get into triathlon.

As to why triathlon, Erediano said “The discipline as a whole because it is more difficult to excel in 3 different sports at the same time, not everybody can do it. Many can bike, can run, can swim but only very few can do it at the same time and excel from it.”

Eventually, from watching in the sidelines, Erediano got to compete in her first Alaska Ironkids in 2014 wherein she finished 12th. She improved to second place this year and last year.

She has also competed in the Hong Kong ASTC Asian Cup last October 15 and placed second. 

Despite having competed internationally, Erediano said that her Batang Pinoy gold medal is still the best of her achievements so far because not only was it her first cycling competition but also because the Batang Pinoy is a national competition that many young Filipino athletes aspire to win.

Being in sports has also taught her a valuable lesson, “Winning entails hard work. Waking up every day early and showing up to practice is a challenge but it is not a burden because of the friends I meet and the teamwork that I learn from my coaches.”

Young as she is, Erediano is not afraid to lose. She said that she has lost some games before but it is how it is, losing is as important as winning, as long as she is doing her best, winning will surely come, just as today. – Rappler.com