The recently held 2023 CARASUC Athletic Meet & Culture and the Arts have given us cheers of winners, beautiful sounds of yells from student-supporters, and unforgettable friendships but beyond these are also stories enough to inspire a generation of athletes and those aspiring to become one.
A netizen shared his awe on social media about a participant in the bike race competition held on April 21 during the CARASUC in Kalinga.
“Kahit alam nyang malayo agwat nya sa ibang mga players, kahit alam nyang siya na lang yung natitirang participant pumadyak sya… Kahit nadisgrasya siya nagka-sugat-sugat, sinakyan niya ulit yung bike niya tapos tinapos ang race [sic],” Neekoolo Gueverra, one of the race course marshals of the Full Spectrum Riders Association of the Philippines posted on Facebook.
He was referring to Rhyne Justin Dornagon, a 20-year-old student-athlete from Ifugao State University who competed in the 100km CARASUC 2023 Bike Race.
Guevarra said Rhyne taught him a "life lesson" of not quitting, focusing, being motivated, and being determined to reach a goal - if not the medal, then to at least finish what was started.
"Haan isuna nga nag-quit, nadisgrasya ngay nga nagtambling piman, haan lng nga slight diay injury na ma'am ta grabe dagidiay gasgas na," he relayed through an interview with Station 1 Radio on April 23.
The weather at that time was forecast to have cloudy skies with isolated rain showers but the heat of the sun prevailed.
Fifteen student riders, including Rhyne, started the 100km race from Kalinga State University Bulanao Campus and had to paddle uphill and downhill through the road going to Malalao then to Bawac and Banneg, Tanudan then to Cudal before going back to the campus. Some of the trails were rough roads making it difficult to travel by bike.
Sharing his plight to Station 1 Radio, Rhyne related that obstacles could be expected along the way, but the accident he met caused him an injury and a cramp that turned out to be much worse than he expected.
He suffered deep abrasions in his right forearm and right upper thigh and minor abrasions surrounding his main wound.
"Ok pa naman yung ride pero simula nung nadisgrasya na ako at natabunan pa ng bike yung paa ko, biglang nag-cramps na yung paa ko," he said relating that around 10km to 15km to the finish line, he felt the excruciating pain plus the hot weather left him exhausted.
He was still in the middle of the race at the time. When the other 14 bikers overtook him one by one leaving him behind the race, "Nag-reflect ako about sa ride kase gustong-gusto ko na talagang sumuko," he said.
Yet, Rhyne continued to pedal despite the pain until he reached the finish line.
"Sabi ko sa sarili ko na andito naman na ako, sayang naman yung more than 80km na tinakbo ko at sayang rin naman yung sugat ko kung hindi ko irereward yung sarili ko. Simpleng pagtapos lang ng race kaya tiniis ko na lang yung sakit," he said.
He knew there were no more medals to win and no more rewards to be possibly achieved.
"Nung natumba na ako, alam kong hindi na ako makakahabol at malalakas rin talaga yung mga nauna sa akin. Pero kailangan ko na lang tapusin, sayang naman yung pinunta ko dito at yung konting ensayo (na) ginugol ko bago ang race," he said.
Rhyne’s experience being an athlete may have a different ending but it has taught a lesson indeed - winning a race is not just grabbing some certificates or medals, it can be won by proving that you can go beyond your limits.
Rhyne said he is in recovery right now and do not plan to stop racing. "Gusto ko talagang bumawi sa susunod,” he expressed.
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