After winning a gold medal in the 27th South East Asian Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar last December 2013, decathlon champion Jesson Ramil Cid, who hails from Dingras, Ilocos Norte is looking forward to compete in the Olympics in the near future.
Cid, now back in training for his next games in China, expressed optimism of competing someday in Olympic decathlon noting that he still needs to gain enough points to qualify in the said event.
“I am happy that I have represented Philippines during the 27th SEA Games, but I still need to work hard to join bigger competitions. I will not stop, instead I will work hard and pray, and hopefully someday, I can compete in the Olympics”, Cid said.
Setting a new record of 7,038 points in the field of decathlon, Cid was tagged as the “New Iron Man” of SEA Games after he broke the national mark of 6,963 points set by Fidel Gallenero in 2001.
According to Cid, decathlon was his chosen sports as it challenges him to play multiple events.
“Gusto ko kasi ng madaming events, nacha-challenge ako kaya ko pinili ang decathlon,” explained Cid.
Decathlon is a sport consisted of ten track and field events. He said running in the events of 200 and 400 meters is his expertise but weak in discus throw and pole vault. However, he later solved it with the help of his competent coaches.
He revealed that his secret of having a fit body does not include dieting, but just hard training such as body weight circuits and running.
“Hindi uso ang diet-diet sa akin. Kinakain ko lahat ng gusto ko eh. Eat-all-you-can palagi. Binabawi ko lahat sa training gaya ng pagtakbo, pagbubuhat ng barbell at pagpunta sa gym,” he said.
Before he became a decathlon-enthusiast, Jesson claimed that he was not good at any sports during his high school days until his father, a school principal and his older brother, a basketball player, encouraged him to develop his skill in sports particularly in track and field events.
“My father and my older brother had influenced me to pursue this sport. They inspired me to develop my athletic skills. They encouraged me to join different sports lalo na sa track and field na kung saan doon ako na-attract sa maraming events”, Cid explained.
He added that during the early days of his career, he used to train in the vast rice fields near their house in Dingras town.
The young Cid had figured in several provincial and regional events. While in college, his athletic potential was recognized by Far Eastern University by giving him free scholarship. He took up at FEU the degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH).
This opportunity had opened the door for Cid to compete in bigger events in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) sportsfest where he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for three consecutive years.
For showing a consistent and impressive feat in decathlon, he saw action with flying color in the recently concluded 27th SEA Games.
According to mother, Mildred Cid, they never expected that their son will be as successful as he is now. They recalled that when Jesson was still 3 years old, the boy already shown signs of unusual strength.
“Nung 3 years old pa lang siya inaakyat niya yung kanyang crib , at kahit tinaasan namin naaakyat pa rin. Ganun din sa walker, lagi siyang nakakalusot. Napakaliksi niya talaga”, said Mrs. Cid.
Last Jan. 16, Jesson, accompanied by his family members, paid a courtesy call on Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos at the Provincial Capitol, Laoag City where he expressed gratitude to all fellow Ilocanos for their support and prayers for his success.
The governor said Jesson will be one of the first Sirib Youth awardees for giving honor to the province in the field of sports. Other brilliant young Ilocanos who gave fame and prestige to the province and the country will be cited.
The awarding rites will be held on February 2, 2013 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City. (Rey T. Arcangel, Jr., PGIN-CMO)
