Mervin Guarte won the gold medal that eluded him as a middle distance runner through a different sport Friday, capturing the men’s 5km x 20 individual obstacle course racing event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Guarte emerged victorious after completing the course in 25 minutes and 31 seconds to finally realize his golden dream after settling for silver in the 800 and 1,500 meter races by a whisker in 2011 and 2013.
Sherwin Managil got the silver in 26:16 to complete a 1-2 finish for the Philippines while two-time Spartan Elite champion Mohd Pittli Mohd Saddam of Malaysia settled for bronze in 28:02.
His victory also set Guarte up for a cash incentive that could pave the way for him to help treat his seven-month old son Bien Marcus, who is dealing with an undisclosed illness in Calapan.
“Sabi nga ng doktor sa akin sa ospital kung bakit takbo ka ng takbo tapos yung anak mo nasa kritikal,” he said. “Sabi ko, pag yung anak ko di gumaling at pag ako di nanalo, parehas kami talo. Wala kami parehas.”
The triumph turned out to be doubly sweet for Guarte, whose removal from the national track and field team earlier this year to his switch to the sport popularly known on TV shows such as “American Gladiators” and “Ninja Warriors.”
“Dito ko talaga nakita yung posibilidad na mag-gold ako,” said the 28-year-old Guarte.
Asked about the possibility of making eventual return to the track, Guarte was firm in saying that he has found a new home.
“Siguro dito na ako hanggang sa pag-retire ko,” he said. “Ito yung pamilya, ito yung team na nagbigay sa akin ng lahat-lahat. Lahat ng pangangailangan namin, lahat-lahat ng suporta sa amin.”
Managil also overcame adversity in taking silver after his boarding house containing two expensive triathlon bikes was gutted by fire several weeks ago.
Guarte’s triumph completed a golden sweep for the Philippines in the event after Baguio native Sandi Abahan captured the women’s category in 33:30.
Abahan, who competes in triathlon and duathlon but is also doing a more-fulfilling work of teaching swimming lessons to children with special needs.
She’s hoping that the sport will continue to be recognized following the SEA Games which saw the Philippines sweeping all six events.
“I’m grateful na pinayagan nila ang obstacle course racing to beat part of the medal sa SEA Games,” she said. “Sana by next SEA Games, mas madami pang bansa ang sumali.”
Glorien Merisco also gave the country a 1-2 finish in the distaff side after completing the course composed of obstacles like handle bars, monkey bars, cargo nets and vertical walls in exactly 40 minutes.
Khamla Sorvimane of Laos received a bronze after placing third at 55:27. (Jonas Terrado)
