From zero to hero

It is better to die than lose in your own turf.

JERMYN Prado soars from being a welder to SEA Games gold medal. AL PADILLA @tribunephl_al

TAGAYTAY CITY — Jermyn Prado had been through the worse.

She was a humble welder in a power plant in Pagbilao, Quezon and was hoping for a better life when she entered the military and discovered cycling.

But on a cool Thursday morning, her fate changed.

The petite 24-year-old rider emerged as Southeast Asia’s finest after winning the gold medal in women’s cycling individual time trial event of the 30th SEA Games yesterday at the Praying Hands Monument here.

Prado clocked 44 minutes and 44.742 seconds to outshine 10 other competitors led by Luo Wiyei of Singapore and Phetdarin Somrat of Thailand.

Luo clocked 44:48.518 to clinch the silver medal while Somrat registred 44:58.152 to settle for the bronze medal in this race that negotiated treacherous roads of Tagaytay-Nasugbu road before reaching the heart of the city.

And when she felt like giving up, she had to bank on her pride and willingness to give everything for the country.

“I came all out. I gave everything in that race,” said Prado, who bucked a lot of odds and suffered several technical issues before formally competing.

“We encountered some difficulties, the (officials) initially told us that we cannot use our time trial (bicycle) because it is intended for triathlon. They said that we should use road bikes, instead.”

“I did not even have enough warm up because I thought they won’t allow us to race.”

Still, with the shiny gold medal in sight, Prado gave everything she can to end up victorious.

“I made it my mindset that there is no more tomorrow. Even my coach told me that it is better to die than lose in your own turf,” she said.

Prado’s win came at the heels of cycling’s victorious participation in this prestigious biennial meet.

James Derrick Farr and Lea Denise Belgira copped gold medals in the men’s and women’s downhill mountainbike last Monday, a win that kick off Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines’ medal harvest.

This, however, is Prado’s first time to see action in the SEA Games.

“Yes, this is my first time in SEA Games. I have been winning in local competitions before. But this one is different, this is more prestigious” said the Navy personnel.

“We trained for a long time with the Philippine Navy. And they taught us to get tougher in competitions.”

Prado added that she still rubs her eyes whenever she realizes her humble beginning and her journey to become the latest toast of Southeast Asian cycling.

“I never expected to win in this big platform. I just cannot believe it,” she said.

“It’s really difficult to predict if you are going to win or not. But there is always a chance for as long as you compete and give your all.”