SEAG medalist stabbed to death

A Southeast Asian Games gold medalist met a tragic end after he was stabbed to death in his hometown in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

Mervin Guarte, a two-time champion in obstacle course racing in the SEA Games, was attacked and stabbed in the chest while sleeping in the living room of Dante Albo Abel, a barangay councilor, on Tuesday at around 4:30 a.m.

Police reports have it that he still managed to call for help and was rushed to a nearby hospital before expiring.

He was 33.

It was a tragic end to somebody who had brought pride and honor to the country on the international stage.

An enlisted Air Force personnel, Guarte started his national team career as a middle-distance runner at the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association. He won a pair of silver medals in the 2011 biennial meet in Palembang, Indonesia.

He is also a national record holder in the 4x800m along with teammates Wenley Maulas, Paul Billones and Christopher Ulboc.

Then, he moved to obstacle course racing, where he won two SEA Games gold medals in 2019 in Tarlac and 2023 in Phnom Penh before emerging victorious in the 2024 Spartan Asia Pacific Champion in the men’s beast 21km event.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino mourns the passing of Guarte.

“Mourning for one of our medalist athletes from Patafa to Obstacle (Course Racing) for his untimely demise,” Tolentino said in a short statement.

The Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation also sent its condolences to Guarte’s family.

“Thank you for your service, Mervin! You will be greatly missed,” the federation posted.

Even athletes were saddened with Guarte’s untimely passing, especially since he is already a veteran who can bring more honor to the country in major international events ahead.

“May his soul rest in peace, and I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. What a tragedy. Only 33 years old,” Olympian Ernest John Obiena said.

“This is another poignant reminder to us all that we must embrace every day as a gift; tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

Another Olympian, boxer Nesthy Petecio, expressed her deepest condolences.

“RIP boss meg. Nakakabigla, malungkot kami mga national athletes na kasamahan mo sa nangyari,” said Petecio, a two-time Olympic medalist.

“Mine-message mo pa naman ako lagi sa tuwing nananalo ako. Justice para sa iyo.”