MCS ALUMNUS AND SHOOTER JAYSON VALDEZ QUALIFIES FOR THE UPCOMING TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS

Written by Angela Loui M. Delos Santos
Layout by Christine Raine V. Dela Cruz
Posted on June 23, 2021 | 7:25 PM

Last June 19, 2021, Jayson Valdez, an MCS alumnus from batch 2012 was confirmed to compete in the men’s 10-meter rifle event at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics set to take place this coming July 24 to August 2, 2021. The confirmation was announced by the Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and  Philippine National Shooting Association Secretary General Irene Garcia. He was qualified to join the olympics through the continental quota of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF). Through an interview, Valdez shared his experiences and preparations as a Shooting sports athlete. 

Valdez in 2009, at 13 years old, started to try shooting which was introduced by his father, Julius Valdez, three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. During this time, he was a Black Belt Taekwondo player but he “easily fell in love with it [Shooting]” and has since then not done any other sports.

Upon knowing his qualification to the Olympics on June 18, Valdez felt happy and overwhelmed about it because this event is unexpected to happen at a near date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their Secretary General decided to stop their training due to the spike in the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19, as such, physical training to him is the most important extra activity he is doing in preparation for the Summer Olympics. He mentioned that he was recently vaccinated and thus, might soon have his rigid training. 

Valdez joyfully expressed that his family, friends, and girlfriend, who also was a Malatean, are his inspirations for doing his best in the upcoming games. 

Additionally, Valdez stated what he learned as a Malatean which contributed to his journey as an athlete, “learning to keep Christ in the center of it [athlete journey] all no matter what happens, trust that all is according to His plans.” 

To all Malateans who aspire to become a great athlete like him, his message is: “First of all, being an athlete is not easy, for any kind of sport, being in a sport doesn’t mean na pabayaan ang studies. It will also help you to grow and understand the meaning of being [a] true and good individual. Don’t stop until you've reached your goals and always pray to God no matter what happens, and keep chasing your dreams.” (First of all, being an athlete is not easy, for any kind of sport, being in a sport doesn’t mean neglecting your studies. It will also help you to grow and understand the meaning of being [a] true and good individual. Don’t stop until you've reached your goals and always pray to God no matter what happens, and keep chasing your dreams.)