LAST year, we highlighted some of the Davao Region Athletic Association’s (Davraa) finest athletes who went on to become national and international champions. This time, we turn the spotlight on a former standout who has transitioned from winning races in the pool to saving lives in the medical field.
Meet Dr. Anna Celina Gonzalez, a 30-year-old former Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) swimmer now a resident physician at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, New York.
A champion in the pool
Gonzalez was a dominant force in Davraa Meet swimming competitions, clinching multiple gold medals in the 50m and 100m butterfly, 50m and 100m freestyle, and 200m individual medley from 2004 to 2006.
Her biggest breakthrough came in the 2005 Palarong Pambansa in La Paz, Iloilo City, where she was named most valuable player (MVP) in elementary girls swimming, securing three golds and one silver.
She continued her stellar career in college, breaking records and winning gold medals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly events during the 73rd UAAP Season in 2010, representing the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles. She was later crowned MVP for college women in the 74th UAAP (2011) and 76th UAAP (2013).
Lessons from the pool
Looking back on her time as a Davraa and Palaro athlete, Gonzalez fondly recalls the camaraderie she built with her teammates.
"One of my most memorable experiences was sleeping in school quarters with my teammates. We were required to stay together for training, which encouraged teamwork and unity," she shared in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao.
To young Davraa athletes, she offers this advice: “The road to success isn’t easy, but embracing challenges and persisting through setbacks can make the difference between a good and a great athlete. Most importantly, enjoy the process and create lasting memories!”
She also emphasized how sports shaped her confidence and resilience.
"Being an athlete taught me to believe in myself and my abilities. It gave me the confidence to overcome difficult challenges, and because of that, chasing my dreams—no matter the risks—was never a question," she said.
From dominating the pool to saving lives, Dr. Anna Celina Gonzalez embodies perseverance, passion, and purpose. MLSA