IT WAS EMBARASSING, to say the least, but was it humiliating? Not for these divers who represented the Philippines at the South East Asia Games, to attempt to qualify for this year's Rio Games. ESPN called them "the two worst high dives you will ever see."
JD Pahoyo and John Emerson Fabriga entered the diving events with disastrous results. The video and memes of their dives went viral with everyone around the world mocking their efforts.
But how did the Filipino divers react? They didn't hang their heads. Instead, they gave themselves high fives and laughed at themselves.
They knew the odds were against them. They didn't have the year-round training, coaching and facilities that other nations have, but they gave it their best effort.
From Pahoyo's Facebook:
"I even laughed at myself after i did this dive hehe. but after all this was not the first time i failed a dive, and i was not the first one who did so. And I am still proud because not all of us has the privilege to represent our own country to such a big sporting event like this. And by the way can i ask all of you if you can still smile after getting embarrassed in front of thousands of people? hehe just asking, right?"
Who were the real winners and who represented the real Olympic spirit? Their efforts caught the attention of Upworthy.com which put the whole episode into the proper perspective.
It is not how you fall down, but how you pick yourself up afterwards, right?
By the way, two days and a few hours of practice later, the pair entered the synchronized diving event and nailed it ... not good enough for a medal, but good enough to merit our cheers for the underdog.
By the way, two days and a few hours of practice later, the pair entered the synchronized diving event and nailed it ... not good enough for a medal, but good enough to merit our cheers for the underdog.
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