HURDLING OBSTACLES, CHAMPIONS TOGETHER
Dabawenyos Nathaniel Aban Sanchez and Klymille Keilah Rodriguez lift Philippines’ golden finish in 30th SEA Games mixed team relay 400m X12 obstacle course
MANILA - Nathaniel Aban Sanchez and Klymille Keilah Rodriguez of Davao City joined teammates Diana Buhler and Jeffrey Reginio in bagging a gold medal for Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games .
Philippines beat Malaysia in the finals in just a second. “Ganyan kahirap ang laban - 400 meters, may 12 na obstacles kang pagdadaanan. Nagtala din kami nang World Record na oras na 1:59 seconds,” he told Sun.Star Davao yesterday.
Sanchez, 30, of Biao Guianga in Tugbok, Davao City , said, “.”
Rodriguez, 30, who hails at Palm Village in Bo. Obrero, for her part, said: “It feels worth it yung sacrifices, leaving Davao to train in Manila. Super happy to bring home gold not just for the Philippines but also for Davao.”
Obstacle course racing (OCR) was only introduced in this SEA Games but the sport has started in the country three years ago after Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, headed by lawyer Alberto Agra, was formed. Sanchez began playing OCR in 2017.
OCR is a competition where athletes will race in 100m, 400m, five kilometers and 100 miles with physical obstacles along the way like monkey bar, balance beam and rope climb, among others, which requires upperbody strength, grip and endurance. Whoever finishes first will be declared winner.
Sanchez is currently a world OCR level coach at Pretty Huge Obstcles in BGC Taguig where the national team also trained for the biennial meet.
He loved playing even as a child since his family resided in far-flung part Tugbok and there was no electricity.
“Hindi ako nahirapang mag-transition dahil likas na sa aking katawan ang mga ginagawa ko. Kaunting hasa na lang. Naging madali rin sa akin ito dahil bago paman ako naging OCR athlete naging Crossfit athlete rin ako. Yung sport na ito ang pumili sa akin. Dito kasi masaya ako at parang naglalaro lang sa training. Masaya akong ginagawa lahat parang nung kabataan ko lang,” the middle of three children and only son of farmers Cesar and Elisa added.
He dedicated his feat to Aban and Sanchez families, Barangay Biao Guianga, Jenate, Los Amigos National High School, AMA Computer College Davao, colleagues and classmates, Crossfit Madayaw family, Davao Golden Hardware family, Davao City and the Philippines. He also cited those who supported him behind the scene, back when he has to solicit funds for his competitions.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, only joined the national OCR team but she’s been playing the sport for over a year now.
The young architect, who owns Happy Fit Nutrition Hub, shared, “OCR is a mix of two sports I love - climbing and running.”
She said team work was their edge in defeating Malaysia in the championship.
Her family in Davao who gives her strength, God and the country motivated her to give her best in the race.