YOUNG National Capital Region trackster Angelo Kenneth Labadan wants to be like one of the greatest athletes of all time– in hurdles.
While he fell short of a podium finish in the final of the elementary boys 110-meter hurdles event of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa at the sprawling Marikina Sports Center yesterday, he vowed not to give up.
“Ginawa ko ang lahat pero kinulang, masakit na rin iyong paa ko. Pinulikat na rin ako,” the San Diego Elementary School product in Quezon City told Malaya-Business Insight. “Ipinakita ko ang talent ko. Nag-train ako nang husto para dito sa Palaro.
“Nakakapanghinayang lang kasi madaming tao ang sumuporta at nagtiwala sa akin, feeling ko nabigo ko sila,” he added.
A gold medalist in the NCR Meet last February, Labadan, 12, is convinced continuing his athletics dream will be key to securing a bright future.
“Pagdating ko po ng high school, itutuloy ko po ang sport na ito,” Labadan, who is set to study at Batasan Hills National High School, said.
“Sa hurdles po, puwede itong maging daan para mas gumanda ang buhay namin. Puwede akong makuha sa national team and baka rin makapag-Olympics. Iyon po ang pangarap ko.”
The eldest in a brood of two, Labadan attributed his love for hurdles to his coach, Rudito Cagatin.
“Nakitaan ako ng potential ng coach ko and nagtiyaga po talaga sa akin si coach,” Labadan, whose father is a delivery driver and mother a housewife, said. “Ngayong taon lang ako nag-try sa hurdles.”
