Finding the next long jump queen

By Robert Andaya

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) joined the nationwide celebration for “Women’s Month” this March by paying tribute to outstanding female achievers in the wonderful world of sports. 

Fittingly, one of those honored by the PSC was Elma Muros-Posadas, who earned the moniker “Iron Woman” for being the country’s undisputed long jump queen for nearly 40 years now 

Now 56 but still fit as a fiddle, Muros-Posadas is now paying it forward by taking the initiative to help the country’s top sports officials in both the PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee find her rightful successor in the sport. 

Finding the next Muros-Posadas, they say. 

“Napakadaming magandang pagbabago sa buhay ko dahil sa sports. Ang dami kong karangalan na nakuha —PSC Hall of Fame, PSA Athlete of the Year,Palarong Pambansa Achievement Award at ngayon, PSA Lifetime Achievement Award. Sa bahay, madalas kong tinitignan yun mga medalya at trophy ko, pati yung mga luma at bagong litrato ko at newspaper clippings ng mga laban ko,” said Muros-Posadas during a recent interview at “Sports on Air” via Zoom. 

“Lagi ko nga sinasabi, salamat Lord dahil nagawa ko lahat ng mga ito dahil sa iyo. Yung nga pagsusumikap ko, yun pagpupursige ko, yun tapang at hirap ko, yun mga hard work, hindi lahat nasayang,” stressed Muros-Posadas. 

“Patunay na din ito na hindi ko sinayang yung talent na ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa akin at yung nga tiwala at suporta na ibinibigay sa akin ng mga kasama ko mula pa noon sa Gintong Alay hanggang ngayon sa PSC,” added the pride of Magdiwang, Romblon who started as a 14-year-old talent for the Southern Tagalog Regional Athletics Association sporting meet. 

Her efforts enabled Muros-Posadas to capture a total of 15 Southeast Asian Games gold medals, mostly in her favorite event long jump and the chance to compete in the Asian Games, continental and world championships and even the Olympics; 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta. 

She also found her lifelong partner in track and field coach George Posadas, who helped hone her skills and made her a better person on and off the playing field. But for Muros-Posadas, her mission is not over yet. 

Although already retired, she wants to stay fit and continue to serve the country in whatever way she can. 

“Hanggang kaya ko pa— kaya pa ng isip at katawan ko —tuloy-tuloy lang serbisyo para sa bayan. Kung dati lumalaban ako para mabigyan ng karangalan ang ating bansa, ngayon gusto ko naman tumulong na turuan ang ating mga kabataan para maging magaling silang atleta,” explained Muros-Posadas. 

“She is now helping PSC in its grassroots development program by going around the country to discover and identify fresh talents and helping them become better athletes. 

“Alam ko naman na darating ang araw na wala na ako dyan, na-marealize ko na kailangan ko na din magpahinga at mag-stay na lang sa bahay. Pero habang kaya pa, gusto ko itong ginagawa ko na mag-guide sa mga batang atleta,”added Muros, who had coaching stints at Far Eastern University, Brent International School, University of the East, Jose Rizal University and University of the Philippines. 

Among the outstanding athletes who learned the ropes from Muros-Posadas were fellow long jumpers Marestella Torres and Lerma Bulaitan heptatelets Percela Molina and Mercedita Manipol, marathoner Joan Banayag, triple jumper Harry Diones and javelin thrower Melvin Calano. 

“Swerte pa nga ang mga atleta ngayon dahil sa technology ngayon kumpara noong panahon namin nila Diay (Lydia de Vega).Dati sarili kaming kayod. Almost every month, may team trials kami sa Baguio City,” said Muros-Posadas, recalling her early Gintong Alay days under director Michael Keon. 

“Pero pinakamahalaga sa lahat, na lagi kong sinasabi na itinuro sa akin ng aking mga magulang, huwag kalimutang lumingon sa pinanggalingan at magpasalamat,” added Muros-Posadas. 

Finding the next…