Joyful Tabal relishes 'special' gold

CEBU, Philippines - In every success story, there are many struggles behind it.

Mary Joy Tabal best illustrate that.

Before scaling the summit of success, the Cebuana long distance running star had to endure countless slings and arrows that smacked her way.

For one, she collapsed at the finish line during her first ever 10-kilometer run some years back.

It did not dampen her spirits though.

With great resolve and sheer determination, the pride of Guba, Cebu City bounced back with aplomb, winning one race after the other on the way to establish herself as the country's undisputed marathon queen and record-holder for four years now.

 That title paved the way for the 28-year-old Tabal to showcase her wares in the prestigious Boston, Los Angeles and Paris marathons.

It was, however, her breakthrough performance in Ottawa (Canada) that earned her an Olympic ticket.

Tabal's date with history was nearly scuttled due to her unresolved issues with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

After bending on PATAFA's demands, she was green-lighted to form part of the elite Philippine team and in the process carved history as the first Filipina marathoner in the Oympics last year in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

But Tabal has yet to face her biggest challenge.

Tension was at its highest when her long-standing squabble with the PATAFA resurfaced.

This came after PATAFA chief Philip Ella Juico, in a nutshell, announced that they have dropped Tabal out of the Phl squad for this year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for failing to comply with the rules and regulations they have set for national athletes.The move drew flak from some concerned sports officials, the most vocal among them was Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon 'El Presidente' Fernandez.

The country's living legend in basketball contended that Tabal, being an Olympian and marathon champion since 2013, must be a shoo-in for Team Philippines in the SEA Games. At the same time, he urged the PATAFA to stop mixing sports and politics and work for the greater good of Phl sports and not only for its vested interest.

Bombarded by relentless criticisms from disgruntled sectors, the PATAFA has eventually reconsidered its decision and subsequently reinstated Tabal to the national team.

Tabal has the last laugh, afterall.

The Cebuana Olympian made her countrymen proud after delivering Phl's first gold in the 29th SEA Games via the women's marathon event last Saturday in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Summoning all the strength she could muster out of her rigid training in the mountains of Italy and Switzerland, Tabal went on to cross the finish line with the best time of two hours, 48 minutes and 26 seconds, a huge improvement from her 3:04:39 clocking that brought her just silver in the 2015 Singapore SEAG.

Looking back at all what she had gone through, Tabal could only relish with pride and self-fulfillment for what she has achieved .

For her, all the trials and tribulations she met along the way are nothing but additonal flavors that further sweetened her taste of success.

That makes her SEA Games gold extra special, something that she will treasure in her lifetime.

"This gold medal brings a different kind of message for me. This gold is very special because there are a lot of stories behind it. This victory is very rewarding, it's worth all the sweats, hard work, and the time and sacrifices," Tabal said.

On the heels of her resounding triumph, Tabal is setting her sights on a higher goal, to medal in the Asian Games two years from now.

But for the time being, Tabal will enjoy her moment first, and new role as well - cheerleader for her teammates, who will see action in various athletics events starting today. (FREEMAN)