Simeon Galvez Toribio (September 3, 1905 – June 5, 1969) was a Filipino high jumper and politician.

Simeon Toribio
Simeon Toribio in 1932
Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Bohol's 2nd district
In office
May 25, 1946 – December 30, 1953
Preceded byOlegario Clarin
Succeeded byBartolome Cabangbang
Personal details
Born(1905-09-03)September 3, 1905
Zamboanga, Moro Province, Philippine Islands[1]
DiedJune 5, 1969(1969-06-05) (aged 63)
Carmen, Bohol, Philippines
Political partyLiberal (1946–1969)
Sports career
NationalityFilipino
Country Philippines
SportTrack and field
EventHigh jump
College teamMapúa Cardinals
ClubSilliman University
Sports achievements and titles
Personal best2.00 m (1930)[2]
Medal record
Representing  Philippines
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1932 Los Angeles High jump
Far Eastern Championship Games
Gold medal – first place 1927 Shanghai High jump
Gold medal – first place 1930 Tokyo High jump
Gold medal – first place 1934 Manila High jump

Early life and education

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Toribio studied at Silliman University.[3]

Athletics career

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He competed at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics and won a bronze medal in 1932. In 1928, he cleared the same height as the silver and bronze medalists Benjamin Hedges and Claude Ménard, but lost the jump-off and placed fourth.[4] Toribio served as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the 1936 Games, where he finished 12th.[2][5]

According to author Jorge Afable, Toribio could have won the gold medal, if not only for the "call of nature". It was a grueling four-hour competition to jump over the bar raised at six feet and six inches high. Toribio, who once made the jump, failed to overcome it the second time because he was distressed by call of nature.[1]

Recognition

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Toribio was the recipient of the 1930 Helms World Trophy for being Asia's greatest athlete, the only Filipino to be awarded this honor.[6]

Also in 1930, he was awarded the title "Asia’s Greatest Athlete".[2]

Post-athletics career

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Toribio later became a civil engineer.[2]

In 1941, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the Second District of Bohol, and served until 1953.[2]

Later life and death

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He settled in Carmen, Bohol and died there in 1969. His descendants are continuing his legacy in Public Service.[when?][further explanation needed][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Simeon Toribio". olympic.org. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Simeon Toribio. sports-reference.com
  3. ^ Silliman University: History Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine. su.edu.ph. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  4. ^ Athletics at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Games: Men's High Jump. sports-reference.com
  5. ^ Ramon J. Farolan (September 8, 2008) "War-torn Afghanistan wins Olympic bronze". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  6. ^ "Filipino Champions in Athletics, Golf, Chess, Tennis, Martial Arts, and Other Philippine Sports". Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
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Preceded by Representative, 2nd District of Bohol
1941–1953
Succeeded by