Bulacan cyclist earns breakthrough SEA Games medal after multiple attempts

CHONBURI, Thailand – Mark Louwel Valderama looked like he was going to pass out shortly after he alighted his mountain bike as he tried to catch his breath while laying on the grass.

That was how worn out Valderama was following a grueling final in the men’s cross-country eliminator in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on a chilly Thursday, December 11, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoor here.

But all the exhaustion paid off for the 24-year-old from Santa Maria, Bulacan as he captured his first-ever medal out of three SEA Games appearances.

“I thought I was not going to finish the race because it felt like I was going to faint and my legs were hurting,” said Valderama in Filipino. “But all the things my coach told me came rushing back to my mind, that I’m already here and this happens only once, so I left it all out.” 

Valderama, who dreams to be a fireman, also competed in the 2021 Vietnam and 2023 Cambodia editions but ended up unsuccessful in his medal quest.

This time, though, Valderama did just enough to reach the podium, his nifty maneuver at the first turn allowing him to overtake gold-medal favorite and home bet Watcharakorn Onthuree for the second place and causing the Thai to crash.

While Valderama conceded the second spot to eventual silver medalist Zulfikri Zulkifli of Malaysia following the first lap, he’s simply elated to get his breakthrough medal.

Rendy Varera Sanjaya of Indonesia ran away with the gold. 

“I’ve competed in a lot of SEA Games and this is the only time I won a medal so I’m really happy,” said Valderama. 

Valderama said his victory is for the nation, his loved ones, and his coach Eusebio Quiñones, a former SEA Games veteran who captured a cross-country gold in 2003. – Rappler.com