Push Admin

SEA Games: Why diver with gold potential once got into trampoline gymnastics

Article (news)

Brian Yalung

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/10/02/20191002-sea-games_1.jpg"/><figcaption>Deo Francisco says he was surprised to win gold in the men&#x27;s 3-meter springboard at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships. Courtesy of Marie Dimanche</figcaption></figure></div>Deorelar &quot;Deo&quot; Soriano Francisco made the country proud after winning gold in men&#x27;s 3-meter springboard at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships held in Bengaluru, India, last week. Francisco, of Caloocan City, garnered a total score of 295.70 points, enough to best two Indian divers. For him, it was no easy task going up against seasoned international divers.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/02/19/diving-pinoys-bag-3-gold-medals-at-asian-age-group-tournament">Diving: Pinoys bag 3 gold medals at Asian age-group tournament</a></li></ul>&quot;Una sobrang kaba talaga kasi first time ko sa international games. Masyado silang malalakas lalo na sa skills. Mas may experience sila kaysa sa akin at kakabalik ko palang po sa diving after 7 months,&quot; Francisco said in an exclusive interview.He said he started diving in 2008. He made a brief shift to trampoline gymnastics in 2014, then returned to diving.&quot;I love tumbling talaga. Gusto ko ng extreme, at gusto ko mag-gold sa diving at sa trampoline,&quot; Francisco said.When asked how he bested seasoned divers, Francisco said he told himself that he can complete his dives and he did not pressure himself to get medals.&quot;Halos lahat sila talented kaya mas nag-focus ako na matapos ko ’yung six dives na requirement. Iniisip ko lang talaga na matapos lang OK na. Masaya na ako kahit walang medal basta i did my best,&quot; said Francisco, who will be turning 25 in November just as the Southeast Asian Games begin.For Francisco, the gold is a big confidence boost. He feels that this can silence critics who had doubted him. &quot;Nu’ng nanalo ako, hindi ako makapaniwala na may medal ako. Akala ko third or fourth lang ako. Pero wala akong hinangad na kahit ano,&quot; he said. &quot;Naisip ko rin una si God. Siya lang una at ’yung mga tao na naniniwala sa akin. Sila yung nagbigay ng chance. Sila ma’am Marie (Dimanche) at coaches. Sila po ang mga unang tumulong kaya itong pagkapanalo ko is a gift from God. Shocked po talaga kami lahat. Ako po lalo halos maiyak.&quot;Despite his achievement, Francisco knows that there is still work to be done. He said he still needs to polish his form and finish if he is to fare well in the coming SEA Games.&quot;Ang pinaka-gusto ko pa maayos ay ang porma at linis ng mga skills ko. Hindi ko masabi kung gaano ako kahanda. Gusto ko lang ipakita sa lahat na may magagawa pa ako para maging solid at handa na po talaga ako,&quot; he said.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Deo Francisco says he was surprised to win gold in the men's 3-meter springboard at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships.

Deo Francisco says he was surprised to win gold in the men's 3-meter springboard at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships.