Rene Gamarcha Herrera Qualifies for London Olympics

[MikeLigalig.com]

A local son has made this place of sweet mangoes proud.

The 26-year-old Rene Gamarcha Herrera, a bemedalled athlete from tiny Guimaras Island is one of only 11 sportsmen chosen by the Philippine Olympic Committee to represent the country in the 2012 London Olympics in August.

The strapping young man from the capital town of Jordan earned the nod of sports officials due to his consistent, high-caliber performance in the Southeast Asian Games.

There, he emerged the undisputed ruler in the 1,500- meter and the 5,000-meter run events.

To make it to the final cast of 11 athletes, probably one of the smallest contingents during the Olympics, is no mean feat considering the intense rivalry among Filipino players who dream of being dubbed “An Olympian.”

When asked on his physical conditioning, the soft-spoken Herrera replied in his native Ilonggo language he has not reached his peak yet.

Herrera will leave for Hong Kong July 1 to compete in the HK Inter-City Championships Open Meet. - PNA