CHUN'AN, Zhejang, China—Daniel Patrick Caluag vies in cycling's BMX Racing on Sunday, 1 October, which is exactly the same day nine years ago when he won the country's one and only gold medal at the Asian Games 17th edition in Incheon, South Korea.

"I remember it as if it was yesterday," said Caluag on Friday after his second day of testing the track in this city situated 155 kilometers from the 19th Asian Games main hub of Hangzhou.

He was a young 27-year-old rider coming off his first Olympics in London 2012 and capturing gold at the 2013 Asian championships in Singapore — BMX racing is relatively new on the global stage having been accepted as a medal sport in the Olympics only in Beijing 2008.

"I was heading to my first Asian Games, just after the birth of my daughter, Sydney," added Caluag, who for his Incheon success was named Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

"I was young, motivated, and hungry for success, eager to be the best in BMX and to put the Philippines on the map."

On Sunday, he'll be up against riders many of them a decade younger than him hoping to emerge champion on the Chun'an track—although all BMX tracks follow UCI regulations, no two tracks all over the world are the same.

Caluag flew in three days ago from the United States where he works full time as a Registered Nurse like his wife and former coach Stephanie—they were front liners during the pandemic with

Caluag got himself infected and quarantined for more than a month.

"Now, as I left for the 19th Asian Games, Sydney just turned nine," he said.

"I approach it with much more confidence and understanding."

He added: "I have nothing and I have much to gain. I am truly blessed to be able to continue to do the thing I love—ride my BMX—at 36 years old, the oldest rider on the track."

Caluag will be racing on Sunday with fellow Filipino-American, 23-year-old Patrick Coo, who made a name for himself two years ago by winning gold at the Asian championships.
Caluag recalls his experience in London in 2012.