Prior to starting his career as an model-turned-actor in showbiz, Richard Gomez had already proven himself a natural athlete long after he graduated from playing varsity volleyball in high school. The actor is also a SEA Games veteran athlete, having represented the country as part of the national teams in fencing, rowing, and volleyball during various years.
He first represented the country in sports shooting in the 2005 SEA Games and returned this year as part of the Sporting Clays National contingent where he and his team won silver last December 14.
In his interview with One Sports, Richard talked about their team’s achievement, “We were hoping to get that gold, but silver will do. We’re very happy about this. For me personally, I’m happy kasi my SEA games record is two golds, this is my fourth silver, and one bronze. Pero ito, para sa inyong lahat ito. Actually when we counted, 20 pala yung taga Ormoc na athletes ng SEA Games. So this is the first medal for Ormoc, Silver. Hopefully, madagdagan pa ito.?
The team’s win comes on the heels of their performance last October when they competed at the 47th SEASA Shooting Championships in Photharam, Thailand and also brought home a silver medal. Other members of the Philippine Sporting Clays National Team Jakey Ancheta, Jed Rivilla, and Carlo Baltonado.
In his most recent Instagram post, Richard thanked his wife Lucy Torres-Gomez for being there for him and his team the entire way and he also dedicated their win to the people of Ormoc where he is currently seated as mayor. He wrote, “A Silver Medal for the Sporting Clays Team at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games 🇵🇭
"@lucytgomez, thank you for taking care of the team throughout our practice sessions and during our overseas training and competitions. Thank you LGU Ormoc.
"We dedicate this medal to all Ormocanons who continue to support and carry us with pride, and to our fellow Filipinos. May we continue to achieve success in sports and reach even greater heights together.”
Last week, Richard shared snippets from his team’s Sporting Clay training camp in Ormoc City with their foreign coach Per Magnus Pedersen.
Richard and Lucy’s daughter, Juliana Gomez, is also competing in the 33rd SEA Games, as part of the Fencing team in the Women’s Epee.