PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Several years ago, Jaymark Rodelas and Precious Cabuya decided to go full-time in obstacle course racing, and set aside their dreams and aspirations.
The sacrifices paid off.
See Precious Cabuya, Jaymark Rodelas bag gold medals in record times
The 35-year-old Rodelas became a high school English teacher to fulfill his parents' dream before focusing on OCR.
Rodelas also worked as a fitness coach and sports runs in his blood, being a nephew of athletics legend Elma Muros-Posadas. He was also a former member of the athletics team of Emilio Aguinaldo College so the transition was easy.
“Tinupad ko naman ngayon ‘yung pangarap ko,” said Rodelas, referring to his change in career from teaching to sports.

Cabuya, on the other hand, was an entrepreneur before going into the sport. She was woreking out in a gym when a coach saw her potential in 2019.
“Wala talaga akong sports na kahit ano. This is my first sports na pinasukan ko,” said the 32-year-old Cabuya. “Mahilig lang talaga ako mag-gym, mag-workout. Nung na-try ko, sobrang iba ‘yung na-feel ko. Feeling ko, eto na.”
“Nag-visit lang ako sa gym. Nakita ako ng coach na kaya ko po lahat gawin. May competition sila sa gym nila, sinali nya ako. Naging champion ako doon at kinuha na nila ako,” said Cabuya.
Rodelas was convinced by his friend RR Bolando to compete in the qualifiers in 2018.
“Aksidente lang talaga na nanalo ako ng fourth kaya nakapasok ako sa developmental pool,” said Rodelas.
He earned a bronze in the 2019 SEA Games in such a short time in the sport.
“2019 medyo baby pa tayo sa mga techniques. Pagkatapos nun, pinag-aralan ko ‘yung mga rules. Kaya ngayon, parang lumilipad lipad na,” said Rodelas.
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