The University of Cebu will give trackster Julius Felicisimo Nierras Jr. special recognition when he comes back from Thailand after a golden performance in the 400m event.
The 28-year-old Nierras clocked 46.56 seconds, beating Thai runner Jukkatip Pojaroen for the gold. The medal was one of the five gold medals the RP Track and Field won at the ongoing 24th SEA Games in Thailand.
Earlier, Nierras topped the semifinal round with 47.15 seconds, the fastest among the qualifiers.
Nierras added to his gold medal, a bronze in the 4x100m relay event.
Track officials first noticed Nierras during the local PRISAA competition where he broke several records. The officials, convinced of his potential, offered him a slot in the country’s track team and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
In the Qatar Asian Games, Nierras starred in the relay events and officials agreed that his time would soon come. They didn’t have to wait for too long.
The track star graduated from UC with a customs administration degree and then took up Information Technology so he can use his remaining playing years for UC and compete in CESAFI track events before his stint in the RP team.
UC’s athletic director Bernard Ricablanca told The FREEMAN that he is just waiting for word from UC’s president Agusto Go if they will also give Nierras cash incentive for his efforts in Thailand.
Ricablanca, further said, that he would also write the Cebu City government and the PRISAA Board so these institutions can give Nierras the recognition he deserves.
Aside from Nierras, Ricablanca is also mulling on giving Renante Briones, who once enrolled in UC, recognition for winning a silver in weightlifting, also in the Thailand games. —Caecent No-ot Magsumbol