Traditionally, athletes from the Philippines fare well in sports like boxing and swimming, and in this year’s Southeast Asian Games, Filipinos have managed gold medals in softball, track and field. (Also, billiards!)
But the diving event? Well, diving is a different story. Because Filipino diving struggles badly. Just how badly? Take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToPRDDPN4xg
Naturally, both divers—John Elmerson Fabriga and John David Pahoyo—received scores of 0.0 for their attempts off the 3-meter springboard (which I suppose is what happens when you do a full-on back-flop and/or you hit the water with your feet instead of your hands).
Beyond their failures simply going viral, it’s actually pretty cool that Fabriga and Pahoyo were even competing. Sure, it was embarrassing, but as the Sports Interactive Network points out, the performances were “merely a reflection of the sad state of the sport owing to the lack of support and a clear-cut program.”
Said Philippine Aquatic Sports Association leader Mark Joseph: “They’re new, they’re young, they’re first-timers at this level, so don’t expect fireworks. But with their performances, I am not surprised, I am not surprised. The amount of money that is spent in our sports is nothing compared to our [competitors]. It’s that simple.”
Pahoyo doesn’t feel bad, either. He feels a sense of pride, and he should. Not many can say they’ve competed at a high-level event like that, and check out the synchronized dive the two managed in the competition. Not too shabby.
Screengrab via Bampire TheDog/YouTube