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In the MILO® Little Olympics, all the little champions jump high, run fast and compete hard but there are those who simply jump higher, run faster and compete harder. These little champions that show that they are a cut above the rest live and breath dedication, drive, discipline, leadership and courage. MILO® recognizes this and call these little champions its Most Outstanding Athlete.
The Most Outstanding Athlete is a recognition given to the athlete who dominated his sport in his division. The principle of the award is not just reward hard work but also to inspire other little champions to open their hearts and minds to their full potential.
In the MILO® Little Olympics, every child is a champion but the Most Outstanding Athletes truly stand out as shining examples of what every little champion aspires to be.
MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETES OF 2010
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TEAM NCR
HANNAH DATO
Swimming
This young lass was Team NCR’s treasure in the pool. Hannah Dato swam her way to an impressive nine gold medals in the 2nd MILO® Little Olympics National Finals. Her gold notches include a perfect pool performance of five-for-five in her individual events and leading team NCR to victory in four relay races.
Her performance was stellar and she was a class act both in the pool and out of it. The 16-year-old seemed more pleased than threatened when she saw new faces in her events.
“I was amazed to see and get to know my opponents who have not played in other national meets. Kung baga may mga ‘hidden weapon’ pala yung bawat region,” said Dato.
While she relishes the chance to compete with the very best every year, she shares how much she cherishes every victory: “I still get the jitters every time I remember my MILO® Little Olympics experience. It was my first time to come up the stage with so many people watching you (during the awards rites). Sobrang dami ng tao na pumapalakpak. Nakaka-inspire talaga.”
“It gives me pride being part of the MILO® Little Olympics, more so, being one of this year’s outstanding athletes.” Truly Hannah Dato is a gem in the Philippine swimming scene.
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TEAM MINDANAO
JAMES CYRUS SAMBALOD
Football
Passion is in the fiery soul of an athlete and when harnessed it can propel an athlete to incredible feats and success. For 12-year-old footballer James Cyrus Sambalod, his passion to compete burns strong and with his coach directing and training him he was able to lead Team Mindanao to victory in the grade school football competition in Cagayan de Oro City.
The victory was great and the Most Outstanding Athlete Award validated James and all of his hard work: “Nung nanalo po ako ng MOA, at umakyat sa stage, yun ang most memorable part of the event for me,” said Sambalod, who started competing outside his hometown when he was eight years old.
The son of a seaman and a housewife dreams to one day represent the country in football. With his passion, determination and recent achievements, it looks like the little champion is kicking the ball in the right direction. He’s a homegrown talent we to watch out for in the Philippine football scene. |
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TEAM VISAYAS
JERALYN TABOADA
Badminton
Champions are made not only through the right moves but with the ability to see everything as it happens and react in a split second. This is very true in the fast-paced sport of badminton where the players strive to keep a step ahead of the game and the shuttle clock that whizzes about the court. For Jeralyn Taboada of Team Visayas she feared that she might have lost sight of her being victorious in Badminton when she came to the second National Finals of the MILO® Little Olympics.
The young shuttler prepared for the important meet with blurred vision caused by her eye infection. Some might have already given up but the little champion persevered. “Kahit ano pong mangyari gusto ko po talagang manalo kaya kahit nagkaganun po hindi pa rin po ako sumuko,” said Taboada.
Preparing for the meet was difficult given her infection but she pulled from deep within her to continue training. Right before the day of her event, her will and guts paid off. She was cleared to play and she was more than ready to dominate. She led Team Visayas to great victories. And for this she was awarded as one of the MILO® Little Olympics Most Outstanding Athletes.
“Natutuwa po ako dahil sa aking determinasyon and hard work, hindi lang po ako nanalo. Naging isa din po ako sa mga Most Outstanding Athlete” sa MILO® Little Olympics”.
Jeralyn Taboada has been a champion badminton player since she was nine. After her success in the National MILO® Little Olympics, aiming for victory has never been more crystal clear for this champion. |
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TEAM LUZON
KENO ANTHONY MENDOZA
Taekwondo
Winning the Most Outstanding Athlete award once is already a lifetime achievement. Winning it twice speaks volumes. Keno Anthony Mendoza is on Taekwondo Jin that did just that and distinguished himself as one of the best. In the span of three years, he has won two Most Outstanding Athlete awards, and competed in Mexico and Korea. With his achievements, one would think that Keno has had enough of glory but the little champion admits that he is still developing and growing as an athlete. He firmly believes that there’s so much for him to learn to be better.
“The MILO® Little Olympics gives young athletes like me new opportunities kasi yun talaga ang kailangan namin. Hindi lang naman skills ang puhunan namin. More important yung exposure and lalo na yung avenue for us to compete.”
The little champion adds, “All events na kasama sa MILO® Little Olympics parang nakakagana talaga to perform well since madaming magagaling na kalaban. Lahat ng participants are doing their best so we will win for the school and for our team. Sobrang exciting.”
Keno Anthony Mendoza is a consistent winner and lifetime student of the game making him one of the best Taekwondo jin in the country today. |
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