Yvaine D. Osias is an eighth-grade student and a sports enthusiast at St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI). Her athletic journey started by participating in swimming at the tender age of seven, during a summer class. She quickly became known for her exceptional skills, particularly in breaststroke, and soon stood out among her peers. Little did she know that her aquatic skill was destined for an extraordinary turn.

Her fascination with physical activity broadened and encompassed a wider range of interests, such as cycling and running. This eventually propelled her into triathlon, a challenging and rigorous endeavor that demands peak physical fitness and mental acuity. Despite her youth, Yvaine is already gaining recognition and making a name for herself as a formidable contender in this sport.

Sports odyssey begins

For starters, a triathlon is an athletic event consisting of three long-distance sports performed continuously. The three sports that make up a standard triathlon are swimming, cycling, and running. The participants, often called triathletes, aim to complete all three parts of the race in the shortest time possible.

Training for a triathlon requires a unique combination of discipline, endurance, and mental toughness. Yvaine understands this well and effectively manages her time to balance her academic and athletic life. She attends her classes in the morning and afternoon, and engages in grueling training sessions in the evening and during breaks.

She follows a regular exercise routine that involves swimming laps at the nearby pool, cycling through picturesque trails, and going on long-distance runs. Local coaches specializing in individual sports have helped her seamlessly integrate these sports-specific elements into her triathlon training program, resulting in an efficient and effective regime.

Yvaine was deeply inspired and motivated by Andrew Kim Remolino, Raven Faith Alcoseba, and Matthew Justine Hermosa, three world-renowned Filipino triathletes, whose incredible achievements and unwavering dedication to the sport left a lasting impression on her. Their great athleticism and perseverance spurred a deep desire to follow in their footsteps, and she often spoke of her dream to become a triathlete just like them when she grew up.

When asked how Yvaine manages her academic and athletic life, she shared, “For me, I think it’s very hard to keep up with sports while doing school because after school, I have to go directly to training, and then after training, I go home like seven or eight, and then I have to study. Sometimes, I don’t even get to study anymore because I’m so tired.”

Despite her busy schedule of studying and training, she is fortunate to have a supportive school that accommodates her needs. The school understands her commitments, allows her to submit her work late, and excuses her from classes during tournaments and training. This support eases Yvaine's stress and helps her maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Emerging trails of triumphs

Yvaine has shown her unwavering commitment to her training, resulting in many accolades from various competitions. Her notable achievements include a gold medal in the youth discovery category at the Asia Triathlon Cup and Asia Triathlon Youth Championship Hong Kong 2023, held on November 19, 2023, in Wanchai, Hong Kong.

She has also excelled in cycling, winning silver in the criterium and gold in the individual time trial, women’s 13-under category, at the 2023 Batang Pinoy Cycling in Tagaytay, Cavite, on December 18 and 19, 2023.

At the 2023 Asia Duathlon Championships held in New Clark City, Tarlac, Yvaine showcased her skills and won a well-deserved silver medal in the women's youth category on November 26, 2023.

Yvaine's impressive list of achievements also includes a bronze medal in the National Age Group Aquathlon 2023, where she competed in the women's youth category at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub on October 15, 2023.

In addition, Yvaine won a gold medal in the Triman Triathlon 2023, competing in the tri kids 11-14 years old category at Fontana Leisure Park, Clark, Pampanga, on August 20, 2023, and another gold medal in the Duaman Duathlon 2023, competing in the duakids 11-14 years old category in Clark Freeport Zone on July 23, 2023. These victories have solidified her status as a top performer in her age group.

Her excellence also resonated locally at the Albuera Fiesta Cup Mountain and Road Bike Challenge 2023, held on July 15, 2023, in Albuera, Leyte, where she dominated the cycling female open category and claimed the gold medal.

In earlier competitions, on March 20, 2023, at the Tacloban City Meet in athletics, Yvaine demonstrated her versatility, earning a bronze medal in the 200m, a silver in the 400m, a silver in the 800m, and a bronze in the 4x400m relay.

When asked about the secret behind her success, she shared, “I think, presence of mind lang. Don’t panic; think about the game and focus on your opponents. Don’t think about it too much. I kept on training and improving and being better than my opponents. I don’t want to disappoint Tacloban or my family. So, I tried to do my best. My mindset is either in the top three or the top one if possible.”

Boost the journey ahead

Yvaine's father, Romel, reminded her of the importance of keeping the flame alive, especially since their home province of Leyte does not have a triathlon team or competition. They would travel to various places to compete and meet other triathletes. Despite the challenges, Yvaine has shown passion and determination, capable of keeping up with even the best national players in her field.

According to one of her coaches, she must remain dedicated to her training and never tire of it. Her coach emphasizes the importance of trusting her trainer, her father, and, most of all, herself to continuously improve and surpass her limits in every tournament.

She received a cash allowance from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the organizer of the 2023 Batang Pinoy. Some of her training was held at the Leyte Sports Academy, managed by the Province of Leyte. She is also associated with the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG) GO for Gold in Cebu, which provided her with additional support.

Yvaine is a shining example of the incredible potential that lies within the young generation. Her journey is not just about winning races but inspiring others to break free from conventional limitations, pursue their passion relentlessly, and redefine what is possible at any age. (MMP/AAC/PIA Leyte)