Pi Durden Wangkay showed determination and fortitude far beyond his years, turning heartbreak into triumph and boosting the Philippines’ gold medal count at the Asian Youth Games.
The 16-year-old Wangkay stormed to victory in the 200-meter dash late Saturday at Bahrain National Stadium, claiming the Philippines’ third gold medal of the meet — just a day after a disappointing loss.
“At first po, noong hindi po ako nanalo ng 100, sobrang nalungkot po ako,” said Wangkay, who finished fifth in the 100-meter dash.
“Napag-isipan ko po buong gabi, pauwi pa lang po,” he added. “Iniba ko po yung mindset ko dito. Ginawa ko po inimagine ko yung sarili ko na local meet lang, na deserve ko ‘to.”
Wangkay stayed among the leaders as the pack rounded the turn, then surged ahead with 40 meters to go. The small Filipino crowd erupted as he crossed the finish line in 21.76 seconds.
Chu Chao-Feng of Chinese Taipei took silver in 21.90 seconds, while Kim Sunwoo of South Korea claimed bronze in 21.93 seconds.
“Sobrang sarap po sa pakiramdam na hindi lang sa Palaro ako nanalo, dito rin ako nanalo,” Wangkay said.
The De La Salle Zobel Junior Archer joined pesilat Kram Airam Carpio and MMA fighter Charlie Ratcliff in bringing glory to the Philippines.
The celebration continued as Naomi Cesar earned silver in the girls’ 800-meter run, clocking 2:08.69.
China’s Song Jinping won the event in 2:07.84, while Indonesia’s Gesndis Aulia Syafitri took bronze in 2:24.98.
