Replacement athlete gives Cebu City first gold

TAGBILARAN City, Bohol — Who would have thought that a replacement athlete would be able to clinch the first gold medal in the 2011 Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet via the shot put elementary boys early yesterday morning?

San Nicolas Elementary School’s Allan Jay Cartuciano was not chosen as part of the official lineup of the Cebu City Niños. He was not even considered as a substitute but he gave the Niños their first gold medal in this year’s regional meet.

Not only was Cartuciano a replacement, but it was also his first time to compete in the CVIRAA meet.

The 12-year-old was picked by Niños elementary boys coach Louie Mateo to replace Ralph Bajenteng, who opted to play as a pitcher for the Cebu City’s  baseball team.

Initially, he was not selected because he only managed a bronze in this year’s Cebu City Olympics.

Mateo said he saw the potential of the Grade 6 pupil to become a thrower during the Cebu City Olympics, which was why he put him in as a last-minute addition to the Niños’ lineup.

Cartuciano said he did not expect to get the gold and never imagined that he would be the first athlete among about 7,000 participants who would be able to bag the first gold in this week-long event.

He bagged the gold with his best throw of 7.14 meters.

However, Cartuciano said this was not his personal best because he had already logged a throw measuring 8 meters during his training.

“I was really nervous. I even thought I only finished at third place. It’s a nice feeling, I am so happy,” Cartuciano said.

He said his motivation to give his best in this meet was Bob dela Calzada. It was Dela Calzada who discovered him and started training him in the sport last year.  /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON