David Nepomuceno

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David Ramos Nepomuceno (May 9, 1900 – September 27, 1939) was the first Filipino to compete in the Olympics. He was a runner and the sole representative of the Philippines at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Nepomuceno also served as a sailor in the United States Navy and died in the line of duty. In 1925, Nepomuceno ran the 100 meters in only two-tenths of a second short of the then-world record.

Early athletic career

Nepomuceno specialized in 100 meter sprints. Along with fellow Filipino Fortunato Catalon, he was considered a world-class sprinter in the 1920s, competing frequently in the Far East.[1][2]

The Olympics

When the Philippines joined the International Olympic Committee in 1918, the requisite for the country's acceptance was the participation of a Filipino athlete at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France.[3] To qualify, Nepomuceno ran the 100 yards in 9.45 seconds, a fifth of a second of the world record at the time.[4] He was the sole participant representing the Philippines, making him the first Filipino to compete in the Olympics.[5] He was accompanied by National Physical Director Dr. Regino Ylanan, who also served as his coach.[6][7]

To get to the Olympics, Nepomuceno and Ylanan had to travel by steamboat from Manila to Marseilles for 33 days. They then took a train to Paris, arriving a week before the opening ceremonies.[8] Since he was the only athlete competing, he was the Philippines' flagbearer.[9] With the Philippines still a US colony at the time, the French Olympic Committee made him carry two flags: the American on top and the Philippine flag at the bottom.[10] At 24 years old, he was the first Filipino and the first Southeast Asian to participate in the opening ceremonies.[1]

At the Olympics, he ran the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes; in neither race was he fast enough to qualify for the quarterfinals.[11] Many factors went into why he couldn't advance: the long travel time by sea, the short preparation time, having to carry two heavy flags before running.[1][10] In a magazine interview, he was quoted "Sana yung mga susunod sa akin ay hindi maranasan ang naranasan ko (I hope those who come after me will not experience what I experienced)”.[12] That would be the only Olympics he competed in.[1]

Far Eastern Games

After the Olympics, Nepomuceno ran for several more years. In 1925, he nearly shattered the world record for the 100 meters, finishing just two-tenths of a second behind the then-record holder, Charley Paddock.[13][1]

Nepomuceno won the following medals at the Far Eastern Games:[14]

1925

  • Gold Medal, 200 meter straight dash
  • Silver Medal, 100 meter dash

1927

  • Gold Medal, 100 meter dash
  • Bronze Medal, 200 meter straight dash

Personal life

Nepomuceno served in the US Army’s Philippine Scouts and joined the United States Navy.[9][15]

Nepomuceno had only one child, Crisogono.[1] Crisogono became a track and field official.[16] Crisogono went on to have two sons, Joseph and Da Vinci, and many more descendants.[1]

Nepomuceno died on September 27, 1939, at the age of 39, while on duty.[9]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ Philippine Olympic Committee Template:Webarchive
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Great Britain Athletics, Far Eastern Games
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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