IT will be a long and tough road for marathoner Mary Joy Tabal to see some daylight for a podium finish in the Rio Olympics, but the 26-year-old pride of Cebu promised nothing but a good performance for her once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete in the 42-kilometer distance race.
“All athletes would dream and target a medal. Kahit mahirap at parang imposible, sasabayan ko sila,” said Tabal, the first Filipino to qualify in the women’s marathon of the quadrennial event. “Wala namang mawawala sa akin if I will aim for a medal.”
A native of Cebu City who never dreamed of becoming an Olympian in her younger years, Tabal dedicated much of her adulthood in harnessing her passion, collecting top honors in every single race she joined, including her three straight titles in the Milo National Marathon from 2013 to 2015.
After consecutive tries to qualify in Rio, Tabal got her much-awaited green light when she clocked two hours, 43 minutes and 29 seconds in the Scotia Bank Marathon in Ottawa, Canada, breaking through the Olympic standard of 2:45:00 for the full-distance marathon.
She also got the blessings from the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association to be reinstated to the national team after quitting from the national team last year.
Now, Tabal is pounding extra sweat to deliver another impressive showing for the country in the coming Olympics. But her path for a spot at the podium will be a daunting task as the best time in the 42-km race stands at two hours and 19 minutes, a long way to go from her best time.
Excited and unfazed, Tabal said she will give everything for the Philippines.
“Pinagbubutihan ko sa training at pagbubutihan ko pa lalo sa competition,” she said.
Tabal is currently in intense workout and roadwork routines in the Nippon Sports and Science University in Yokohama, Japan. She is joined by her coach, Philip Duenas. She will fly to Rio on August 2 and will arrive in Brazil’s capital the following day. The Finals of the women’s marathon is set on August 14.
“I hope to familiarize the route and acclimatize to the weather in Rio. Kaya maganda rin na almost two weeks akong nasa venue para makapag-adjust na,” Tabal added.