David Ramos Nepomuceno (May 9, 1900 – September 27, 1939) was the first Filipino to compete in the Olympics. He was a runner and the sole representative of the Philippines at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Nepomuceno also served as a sailor in the United States Navy and died in the line of duty. In 1925, Nepomuceno ran the 100 meters in only two-tenths of a second short of the then-world record.
 Loren Murchison (left) and David Nepomuceno (right) at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | Filipino | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 9, 1900 Oas, Albay, Philippine Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | September 27, 1939 (aged 39) Manila, Philippine Commonwealth | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100m, 200m | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Early athletic career
editNepomuceno specialized in 100 meter sprints. Along with fellow Filipino Fortunato Catalon, he was considered a world-class sprinter in the 1920s, competing frequently in the Far East.[1][2]
The Olympics
editWhen the Philippines joined the International Olympic Committee in 1918, the requisite for the country's acceptance was the participation of a Filipino athlete at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France.[3] To qualify, Nepomuceno ran the 100 yards in 9.45 seconds, a fifth of a second of the world record at the time.[4] He was the sole participant representing the Philippines, making him the first Filipino to compete in the Olympics.[5] He was accompanied by National Physical Director Dr. Regino Ylanan, who also served as his coach.[6][7]
To get to the Olympics, Nepomuceno and Ylanan had to travel by steamboat from Manila to Marseilles for 33 days. They then took a train to Paris, arriving a week before the opening ceremonies.[8] Since he was the only athlete competing, he was the Philippines' flagbearer.[9] With the Philippines still a US colony at the time, the French Olympic Committee made him carry two flags: the American on top and the Philippine flag at the bottom.[10] At 24 years old, he was the first Filipino and the first Southeast Asian to participate in the opening ceremonies.[1]
At the Olympics, he ran the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes; in neither race was he fast enough to qualify for the quarterfinals.[11] Many factors went into why he couldn't advance: the long travel time by sea, the short preparation time, having to carry two heavy flags before running.[1][10] In a magazine interview, he was quoted "Sana yung mga susunod sa akin ay hindi maranasan ang naranasan ko (I hope those who come after me will not experience what I experienced)”.[12] That would be the only Olympics he competed in.[1]
Far Eastern Games
editAfter the Olympics, Nepomuceno ran for several more years. In 1925, he nearly shattered the world record for the 100 meters, finishing just two-tenths of a second behind the then-record holder, Charley Paddock.[13][1]
Nepomuceno won the following medals at the Far Eastern Games:[14]
1925
- Gold Medal, 200 meter straight dash
- Silver Medal, 100 meter dash
1927
- Gold Medal, 100 meter dash
- Bronze Medal, 200 meter straight dash
Military service
editNepomuceno served in the US Army’s Philippine Scouts and joined the United States Navy.[9][15]
Personal life
editNepomuceno had only one child, Crisogono.[1] Crisogono became a track and field official.[16] Crisogono went on to have two sons, Joseph and Da Vinci, and many more descendants.[1]
Death
editNepomuceno died on September 27, 1939, at the age of 39, while on duty.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "David Nepomuceno, Pioneer Filipino Olympian from Oas, Albay". DATELINE IBALON. August 2, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Nepomuceno, David". Philippine Olympian Association. August 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Satumbaga-Villar, Kristel (July 24, 2024). "Year 100: Pinoy athletes come full circle in Paris Games". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Brown and White Vol. 31 no. 54 — 9 May 1924 — The Lehigh Digital Archives". veridian3.lib.lehigh.edu. May 9, 1924. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Philippine Olympic Committee Archived March 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Henson, Joaquin M. (July 29, 2012). "Celebrating the 26 Greatest Filipino Olympians". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Iñigo, Manolo (September 7, 2001). "Ylanan legacy a tough act to follow". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Henson, Joaquin (May 16, 2024). "No opening parade in Paris". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c Garcia, Alon (August 9, 2024). "World-Class Athlete: David Nepomuceno Is The First Filipino Olympian Who Competed In France 100 Years Ago". Lifestyle Asia. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b "PART II: PH athletics stars take turn as Olympic flag-bearers". Spin.ph. July 23, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "David Nepomuceno Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ Lachica, Rey Virgilio (July 11, 2024). "David Nepomuceno, 1st Filipino Olympian, smiling sweetly from heaven". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ NAKPIL, LISA GUERRERO (August 13, 2024). "Burger-silog to a double gold". Philstar Life. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Great Britain Athletics, Far Eastern Games
- ^ Ling, Huping; Austin, Allan W. (March 17, 2015). Asian American History and Culture: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 298. ISBN 978-1-317-47645-0.
- ^ "Stricken Nepo leaves ICU". Manila Standard. March 5, 1991. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
