by Jerome Lagunzad
That’s the strong message given by legendary Filipina trackster Elma Muros-Posadas to current national team members and aspiring athletes.
Muros-Posadas, 51, and her fellow track stars of the 80s and 90s got most of the attention on Saturday night when they competed in the masters women division of the 2018 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships.
Despite tearing her right achilles tendon back in 2015, Muros-Posadas proved she’s still have enough juice left in the tank as she topped the star-studded 100m finals in 15.19 seconds.
“It’s just for fun,” said the two-time Asian Games bronze medalist, relishing her friendly race against fellow former national team members Roda Sinoro-Ramos, Perla Batucan-Lobos and Salve Bayaban.
“But we also want the young ones to see how determined we are even though we’re already past our prime. Even though we’re not that active like before, we want to give those in attendance here a huge treat. We’re here to provide inspiration to them and a big challenge to the young athletes at the same time.”
Considered as the country’s undisputed “Long Jump Queen,” Muros-Posadas said that she and her husband, Jojo Posadas, continue to do their own fair share of giving back by scouring the countryside for untapped talents and developing them to become future pillars of the national team.
“I won’t get tired with my husband in imparting our knowledge of the sport to the younger generation because we really want to help develop our athletes,” said the Magdiwang, Romblon native who’s serving as a coach at Jose Rizal University and Brent International School.
“Right now, our national players are getting older and older. We should start developing younger players because it’s really tough to help them develop. They have to be determined and put their heart on what they’re doing. Of course, they should be willing to give their all and even die for our flag and country.”
