The missing link to success

Roshua Adela Daclan and Dave Torres of Davao Doctors College (DDC) won six gold medals in the eighth TDA Dancesport Championships, which featured the Asian Inter-Secondary Dancesport Championships in Singapore earlier this month. It was their first international competition.

That alone is a big headline. The pair had previously ruled the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) in Bohol and the Palarong Pambansa in Vigan this year. They were the only Filipinos in the competition. Yet, they swept the gold medals in all six categories they entered: Modern Standard Tertiary IIA, Modern Standard Tertiary IIB, Modern Standard Tertiary III, Modern Standard Open Category IIA, Modern Standard Open Category IIB, Modern Standard Open Category III. As a reward, Davao Doctors, through its president Miguel Soledad, has offered them a full-ride scholarship for any college course the school offers.

How was this unprecedented excellence achieved?

Roshua and Dave have been receiving proper training for a full decade, and are now ready to compete at the elite level.

“They started from age 8, and now they are 18,” explains Ana Yango, the teens’ long-time coach and a long-time competitor herself. “They have completed the most crucial six stages in the primary and secondary level, so now they are full-grown for the elite level. We are so proud of them, and so glad that Davao Doctors has supported their long-term growth not just as dancers, but responsible citizens.”

The two youngsters have been enthusiastic, dedicated dancers from the get-go. Daily training, preparing for competitions and traveling are all physically demanding and time-consuming. But the two decided early on that their studies would not suffer. In Singapore, their reputations preceded them.

“When we arrived at the Singapore Polytechnic gym where we were going to compete, we noticed that eyes were on us,” recalls Dave. “We felt nervous and excited, since it was our first international competition. But in spite of being nervous, we knew ourselves that we were really prepared. We practiced after class every day. We were also confident because of our exposure in the previous national competitions “

The transformation of the two teens is impressive. From shy, unsure little kids to self-assured, technically proficient prodigies, they have become inspirations to many other youth. The best part is that they are just getting started.

“First, we thank God for the achievement. Second, our parents. Then to our coach, Ms. Ana Yango, who wholeheartedly made the effort to train us to become better athletes and opening the door to our first international competition,” adds Roshua. “Most especially, we thank our school, Davao Doctors College, for supporting us not only morally but financially.”

What is significant, according to Yango, is that Daclan and Torres got the right training and mentoring from the onset. They received proper technique from experienced professionals, and went through every level in the requisite gradual build-up to where they are today. No shortcuts, no guesswork. 

“The foundation of Dave and Roshua is solid,” Yango told The STAR. “This is what we strive for in all our partnerships. The national sports associations have the technical expertise, while schools and the Department of Education have the students. If we follow the full natural cycle of development, Roshua and Dave will only be the first of many, many successful kids from all sports.”

For their part, the champion dancers know the impact they can have on their peers and juniors.

“Sports turned our dreams into reality,” gushes Roshua. “We hope that this experience of ours may serve as an inspiration to other youth.”

This is winning, the right way.