TEAM PHILIPPINES. Members of the Philippine delegation in the 10th World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships held in Florida, USA on March 23-30, 2025. Brenda Ramos-Zinampan (left) won the country’s lone medal after winning the bronze in the women’s pentathlon 45-49 age category. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – For pentathlete Brenda Ramos-Zinampan, winning the Philippine team’s lone medal in the 10th World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships proved that it’s never too late to chase her dream.
“It was a deeply fulfilling moment, a dream come true,” the 47-year-old teacher from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya said in an interview on Wednesday after winning a bronze medal in the women’s pentathlon 45-49 age category in the biennial meet on March 23-30 at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Despite limited training time, tight budget, and hectic schedule, Zinampan said she gave everything to win her medal through God’s help, discipline, consistency, and “unwavering love and support” of her family.
“This success is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase our dreams. Age is just a number. This win is not only for me, but for everyone who dares to dream, no matter the age or circumstances,” she said.
The country was represented by an eight-member delegation from the National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines (NMSAAP) in the tournament, joined by over 4,000 athletes and participants from 80 countries.
Nhea Ann Barcena of Panu-kulan, Quezon also came up with an impressive performance after finishing 7th among 82 runners in the women’s 8K cross-country (40-44 age group).
She also placed 15th overall and 9th in her age division in the 10K road race competed by 108 runners.
Riezel Buenaventura registered her personal best in the women’s pole vault (35-36 category), matching her Masters’ record and achieving a season-best mark of 3.30 meters.
Drolly Claravall took 13th place out of 20 competitors in the women’s hammer throw (55-59 age group), registering a solid throw of 26.27 meters.
Meanwhile, Judith Staples set a new personal best in the women’s pole vault (50-59 group), clearing 2.20 meters, which earned her 13th place out of 17 entries, and 5th place within the 55-59 age category.
On the men’s side, Edward Obiena delivered a consistent performance in the discus throw (55-59 age group), landing 11th place with a distance of 30.10 meters.
Sotronio Igay, competing in the men’s 70-74 category, finished 13th out of 16 in the 800-meter run with a time of 3:32.70, and 17th out of 22 in the 1,500-meter race.
Rodelio Gadapan also impressed with a personal best time of 2:38.15 in the men’s 800-meter (55-59 age group), placing 20th out of 24 runners.
He later competed in a longer distance event with 167 runners from various age groups, where he finished 66th overall, and 11th in his category, clocking 41:28—another season and personal best. (Alona Cochon/PNA)
