Simeon Toribio

Simeon Galvez Toribio (September 3, 1905 – June 5, 1969) was a Filipino high jumper. 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.[3] Toribio served as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the 1936 Games, where he finished 12th.[2][4] In 1930 he was awarded the title "Asia’s Greatest Athlete".[2]

Simeon Toribio
Simeon Toribio in 1932
Personal information
Full nameSimeon Galvez Toribio
NationalityFilipino
Born(1905-09-03)September 3, 1905
Zamboanga City, Philippines[1]
DiedJune 5, 1969(1969-06-05) (aged 63)
Carmen, Bohol
Sport
Country Philippines
SportTrack and field
Event(s)High jump
ClubSilliman University
Mapúa Cardinals, Manila
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)2.00 m (1930)[2]
Medal record
Representing  Philippines
Olympic Games
1932 Los Angeles High jump
Far Eastern Championship Games
1927 ShanghaiHigh jump
1930 TokyoHigh jump
1934 ManilaHigh jump

Biography

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]

Toribio studied at Silliman University,[5] and later became a civil engineer. In 1941, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the Second District of Bohol, and served until 1953. He settled in Carmen, Bohol and died there in 1969. His descendants are currently continuing his legacy in Public Service.[2]

References
  1. "Simeon Toribio". olympic.org. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. Simeon Toribio. sports-reference.com
  3. Athletics at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Games: Men's High Jump. sports-reference.com
  4. Ramon J. Farolan (September 8, 2008) "War-torn Afghanistan wins Olympic bronze". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  5. Silliman University: History Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine. su.edu.ph. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
Preceded by
Olegario B. Clarin		 Representative, 2nd District of Bohol
1941–1953		 Succeeded by
Bartolome C. Cabangbang
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