Erlinda Lavandia: The Javelin Legend of Surigao del Norte

Erlinda Lavandia, a 66-year-old Filipina, is a Javelin legend from Surigao del Norte, known for her remarkable achievements in the sport. Born in 1952, she is considered one of the greatest Javelin Throwers in the history of the South East Asian Games.

Lavandia made history at the 1977 SEA Games, becoming the sole gold medalist for the Philippines in Javelin throwing, as it was the country's first time participating in the event. However, in 1983, she lost her title to Norsham Yoon of Malaysia, who had previously been a silver medalist to Lavandia in 1981. Despite this setback, Lavandia remained a strong competitor, winning her fourth and final SEA Games title in 1985, in the absence of Yoon.

During her career, Lavandia trained under the Gintong Alay Program, working closely with the late American coach Tinker Hatfield and his wife Sharon. In 1986, at the Asian Cup in Manila, she set the then National Record of 49.94m, a record she held for 15 years until 2001.

After retiring from the national team, Lavandia continued to contribute to athletics as a National Coach and Baguio Camp Director. She also excelled in Masters athletics, becoming a Multiple World Champion. Her coaching legacy continued when an athlete she discovered and coached, Geralyn Amandoron from Cebu, broke her National Record with a throw of 51.00m in the Thailand Open in 2001. Amandoron further improved this to 53.75m, earning silver in the Singapore Open a few months later.

Erlinda Lavandia's story is one of perseverance, excellence, and dedication to the sport of Javelin throwing, inspiring generations of athletes in the Philippines and beyond.