The newest sensation in running events is currently enrolled in one of the country’s top government-controlled universities all over the country.
And for sports-minded people, I guess you have heard his name bannered during the just concluded MASTS 2022 Sports Competition held in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
Sportsman Norman Carl Luardo made sure that his presence is felt during the friendship games when he garnered at least 2 golds (800m and 1,500m) and 2 silvers (400m and 4x400m relay).
Introducing professional runner Norman Carl Luardo
Mr. NORMAN CARL LUARDO, 20, and a first Year BS in Agriculture (BSA-I) student of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, was the darling of the tracks who dazzled viewers, fans, delegates and officiating officials at the just concluded 2022 Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS), Inc Friendship GAMES -Sports Competition.
This was held in the beautiful main campus of the Davao Oriental State University (DORSU) in Mati City, Davao Oriental from November 10-13, 2022, and was participated by more than thirty (30) state colleges and universities all over Mindanao.
Norman, as fondly called by his classmates, parents, sisters and friends, is a native of Davao City. His parents were former athletes who used to emulate and train him along with his two (2) younger sisters the love, passion, strength, and opportunity being an athlete especially a trackster. His parents, too, are marathoners at their younger age.
Starting his elementary and high school levels in the Davao region, Norman has participated in various local, provincial, regional, national and international track and field events whether in short or long- distance running. But his specialty includes middle-long distance runs.
Road to fame
Indeed, he is an experienced trackster with numerous achievements already at hand. Among them include the following:
- ARAFURA in Darwin, Australia in 2018 ( silver medalist, 4×400m; 4th place, 1500meters; 4th place, 5km);
- BIMPNT EAGA BRUNIE in 2017 in DARUSALAM (800meters, 4th place;
1500meters, 4TH PLACE;
4X400;4TH PLACE); - PHILIPPINE NATIONAL GAMES in CEBU in 2017 with bronze medal in 800meters; and
- 2018 DAVRAA, DAVAO CITY (800 meters, Gold;1500m, Gold; 5km, silver;.4x400m, silver; 4x100m, silver).
Constant and persistent training, self-discipline, goal-orientedness and strong motivation, plus support from the family are among his inspirational strategies to achieve success. He likewise considers humility by always keeping the feet always on the ground, as well as proper coaching, as among the equally important virtue and move to reach the goal.
With his relatives residing in Banban, Ane-i in Claveria, Misamis Oriental where USTP-Claveria campus is just in proximity, his family has decided to continue his college education in this institution and take-up Agriculture.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, his running career had been emperiled for more than 2 years. Until when he enrolled at USTP-Claveria this August, the opportunity of having a MASTS Games this year has enlivened his spirit to push again his interest. With only about 2 months of constant training of almost every day in preparation for this MASTS 2022 Games, he has been guided by an experienced award-winning national trackster, his ever idol, Mr. Ike A.Jumao-as, who happens to be an employee of this campus.
His foundation and strength in this running event has been refreshed which long been stagnant and oblivious due to pandemic.
Guided also from a strong support towards this endeavor by the USTP-Claveria administration, this has as well pommeled his strong motivation and inspiration to ace his contested events where he outshined his running opponents, ranging from more than 20-30 runners all over Mindanao. Thus, he kept his shape and form so untarnished in the tracks by winning all over again his favorite masterpieces – the 800m and 1,500m runs.
With these feats, he is among the most bemedalled athletes in the entire delegations in MASTS 2022 Sports Competition, winning 2 golds (800m and 1,500m) and 2 silvers (400m and 4x400m relay).
Norman is not just the prime pride of USTP-Claveria or Davao Region his root, but also the pride of Region X (Northern Mindanao) heading towards the National SCUAA Games which will soon kick-off in Bicol Region.
Our wish and pray for the best of luck to you, Norman, as well as our national qualifiers from USTP-Claveria and in Region X.
