The Nominees for the Rotary Club of Manila Jorge B. Vargas Athlete of the Year Award

Jorge B. Vargas Athlete of the Year Award Criteria

Is engaged in a sport, either as a professional or amateur, representing the Philippines;

Must be of good moral character, male or female, regardless of age;

Has won in a major international competition in 2021;

Has sacrificed for the country, training under challenging conditions in this pandemic;

Has emerged as a symbol of inspiration for Filipinos, particularly the youth, exhibiting dedication, hard work and world-class talent;

Has gained international recognition for his/her achievement as an athlete;

Has performed to high world standards;

Is resolute in striving to accomplish honors for the country in sports with determination, persistence and perseverance;

Has earned the respect of peers all over the world for his/her achievements in sports.

The Nominees

Hidilyn Diaz, Weightlifting

Born February 20, 1991 in Zamboanga City. Since the Philippines made its Olympic debut in 1924, no Filipino athlete—male or female—had won a gold medal until weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz came along to hit paydirt at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The breakthrough came in the Philippines’ 22nd Olympic appearance and was providential. Diaz competed in the newly-created 55 kilogram division, perfect for her because she had previously lifted in the 58 kilogram class in 2008 and 2012 and 53 in 2016. She intends to compete in her fifth Olympics in Paris in 2024.

Nonito Donaire, Jr., Professional Boxing

Born November 16, 1982 in Talibon, Bohol. Donaire turned pro in 2001 and in May 2021, became the oldest boxer in history to win the world bantamweight championship. He has held multiple world titles in five weight divisions—flyweight, superflyweight, bantamweight, superbantamweight and featherweight. Donaire wrested the World Boxing Council bantamweight crown from Frenchman Nordine Oubaali on a fourth round knockout in Carson City, California, last May then at 39, disposed of challenger Reymart Gaballo, also in the fourth round in Carson City last December. Donaire’s devotion to his profession, family, discipline and country is exemplary in today’s professional boxing world. He was recently named the Premier Boxing Champions’ Fighter of the Year.

Carlos Yulo, Gymnastics

Born February 16, 2000 in Leveriza, Manila. Yulo failed to land a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics last year but at the World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, last October, was a picture of excellence in winning the gold medal in vault and silver in parallel bars. He took the gold in the floor exercise at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart so his repertoire has expanded to include more apparatus. At the 2024 Paris Games, Yulo plans to go for the individual all-around gold. Yulo was the first Filipino gymnast to compete in the Olympics since Ernesto Beren and Norman Henson performed at the 1968 Mexico Games. His participation in Tokyo ended a drought of over 50 years for the Philippines in Olympic gymnastics.

E. J. Obiena, Athletics (Pole Vault)

Born November 17, 1995 in Tondo, Manila. Obiena jumped to 5.93 meters to eclipse the Asian record of 5.92 set by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan in Stockholm in 1998. Obiena shattered Potapovich’s mark in his third and final attempt at the International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria, last September. His leap was the third highest in the world last year and catapulted Obiena to No. 5 in the World Athletics standings. He was also the only Asian to qualify for the pole vault final at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

Mark Magsayo, Professional Boxing

Born June 22, 1995 in Tagbilaran City. Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo is a Filipino professional boxer who has held the WBC featherweight title since January 2022. As of January 2022, Magsayo is ranked as the second-best featherweight in the world by The Ring and the third-best by the TBRB.

Carlo Biado, Billiards

Born October 31, 1983 in Rosario, La Union. Biado became the first Filipino since Efren (Bata) Reyes in 1994 to capture the US Open 9-ball championship in Atlantic City last September. Another Filipino Alex Pagulayan won the title in 2005 but played for Canada. Biado and Reyes were the only US Open winners representing the Philippines. A slew of Filipinos took runner-up honors in the competition with Dennis Orcullo in 2012 and 2014, Lee Vann Corteza in 2013, Ronnie Alcano in 2007 and 2008, Rodolfo Luat in 2006, Jose Parica in 2003 and 2005 and Reyes in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Pagulayan was also second in 2002. Bagging the crown was a major achievement for Biado who struck gold for the country at the 2015 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games and the 2017 World Games. He also took the Abu Dhabi 9-ball title last year.