DESPITE his diminutive size Roldan Oandasan remains one of the fastest runner in the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association winning three gold medals to catapult Apayao to an improved 5th place finish.
The grade five student of San Juan Elementary School from Sta. Marcela emerged as Apayao’s bemedalled athlete after winning the gold in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and the 400 meter run while taking home two silver medals in the 4x100 meters relay and the 4x400 meters relay.
“Inspired akong tumakbo para sa pamilya ko at para mabigyan ng karangalan ang probinsya namin,” said the soft spoken aeta.
Oandasan clocked 11.53 seconds in the 100 meter dash while sprinting his way to his second gold in the 200 meter dash with a time 26. 14 seconds and another gold in the 400 meter run besting other runners from the five provinces including Baguio City.
Last year, the little known Oandasan made heads turn after winning three gold medals in his first CARAA appearance.
“He started joining provincial meet when he was 10 years old and he was able to beat other seasoned runners during that time,” said coach Roberto Cascayan referring to Oandasan’s first competition in 2014.
Unfortunately, Oandasan was barred from joining the regional sports competition due to incomplete papers.
In the following year, Cascayan said Oandasan was eager to prove his worth and practically made his way to the regional meet and eventually, earned three gold medals in his first competition outside Apayao.
“He is very diligent, he does everything we tell him to do without complaining. We are also proud of him because he also excels in his academics,” added Cascayan.
SunStar Baguio learned Oandasan is in the running for top two in their class.
The 12–year–old CARAA sprint king is poised to improve his standings in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa slated in Antique later this year. (Roderick Osis)