​Gian Francis Mirador dived in full gear right into the competition with his I-will-win mindset, hauling all the golds for himself and making way through his first Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meet. Gian is a Grade 10-B archer at the Tarlac Agricultural University – Laboratory School (TAU – LS).

 

This 16-year-old student-athlete started his passion for archery way back when he was in his first year in high school. Because of a cousin's invitation, Gian achieved much in his fervor toward archery.

 

Being a first-time student-athlete, he spent his first ever competition as he partook in the virtual State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet in 2022, making it his highest participated level of athletic meets. Together with his teammates, they made this event more memorable as they won first place in the team event.

 

In the recent Provincial meet archery competition, which happened later than scheduled in TAU - LS, Gian bagged four gold medals in the 30-meter distance (February 8, 2023), 50-meter distance (February 18, 2023), 70-meter (February 25, 2023), and the overall champion defeating his ten opponents. The date of the competition varies as they prioritized SCUAA participants. 

 

Gian usually goes home after sunset from training since they patiently wait for college students to finish their training. Despite being deprioritized, Gian definitely made a brag-worthy result, proving his expectation that he will win.

 

Throughout the competition, Von Bismarck Ortiz—his coach and inspiration—gave reminders that he should always focus on his goals. On the other hand, his family is always there supporting him until the end.

 

Although he had a hard time managing his time between his academic loads and his sport, Gian is responsibly passionate enough to excel in both. Being motivated and hardworking, he never loses the balance since he is an academic achiever—a consistent honor student—and a notable athlete. Usually, he completes his school works during his free time to focus on training afterward. In addition, he confidently presumes that in archery, he can (definitely) reach the top.

 

Moreover, Gian also participated recently at an outside-school-archery-tournament in the Manila Polo Club archery with his TAU – LS companions, winning a bronze medal.

 

Gian is looking forward to joining the upcoming Palarong Pambansa, making it his next goal carrying with him the quote, “You'll never know what you are capable of until you take that first step and just go for it."

 

The Archer's Paradox is the bending of an arrow upon release wherein it does not follow the intended path as it leaves the bow. However, with the precision of a skilled archer—it will hit the target, straight and firm.

 

Well… look at Gian now. Just how much he has achieved despite the shortcomings and the challenges.