Anselmo Gonzaga – The Legendary Cainta Flash

Last Updated on July 9, 2023 by Andrew Pirie

Anselmo Gonzaga The Cainta Flash

Anselmo Gonzaga (born April 21, 1906), attended Siliman University in Dumaguete. He was famously known as ‘The Cainta Flash.’

Gonzaga first came to prominence in 1927 at the Philippine National Championships.

In the 100m, he lost to David Nepomuceno, who clocked 10.6 and broke the national record. Gonzaga later that year clocked a 10.5 and rewrote the national record.

The 10.5 ranked Gonzaga 4th= in the world at that time.

In August of that year, Gonzaga won the 200m title at the 1927 Far East Games (and ran it in a straight line then) in Shanghai, China. Just outside the 22.1 National Record of Fortunato Catalon set in 1923).

Nepomuceno, the defending champion, finished 3rd.

He also won Gold in the 4x200m Relay for the Philippine Islands. 

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1928 Olympics

Meanwhile, Gonzaga was one of 4 athletes selected for the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

And he had times of 11.0 and 22.5 in 1928 for 100 and 200. So Gonzaga passed the first round, finishing 2nd in Heat 16 of 16.

Yes, 16 Heats!.

He was behind Bob McAllister of the United States, who won in 10.8. Gonzaga in 11.0. At the same time, finishing 5th in Heat 5 of round 2 in 11.0. 

In the 200m, he was 3rd in heat 5 in round 1 in 22.7, behind the Great Charlie Paddock of the United States, who won the heat in 22.2. As a result, Gonzaga did not advance to the next round.

Gonzaga finished runner-up in both the 100m (10.9) and 200m (22.0) at the 1930 Far East Asian Games behind Takayoshi Yoshioka of Japan.

Also, he timed 10.9 and 21.5 (220 yards), the latter which was his lifetime PB, and served as the Filipino record right up until 1940.

Following 1929, Gonzaga tied his national record again with a 10.5 run, ranking him again 4th= in the world.

In 1930 he clocked 10.9 to win the National Championships in Manila and 21.5 for 220 yards at a Post Olympic Meet. He also ran 22.0 to win the Far East Games over 200m.

In 1931 Anselmo Gonzaga clocked 11.0 and 22.2 to win the Nationals at Wallace Field.

In 1932 he clocked 11.0 and 22.8 to win the National titles in the 100 and 200 for the last time at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

By 1933 he was no longer active as an athlete and was succeeded by Rafael De Leon as the countries top sprinter.

He would serve primarily as a technical official as a starter and linesman. He had raced and also trained in the United States.

 

*We will not allow Wikipedia or any other group or individual to use information from this article without citing Pinoyathletics as a source.

 

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Sources:

• https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/go/anselmo-gonzaga-1.html
• https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/the-four-sportsmen-of-the-philippines-at-the-1928-summer-olympics-picture-id500923088?s=2048×2048
• The Filipino Athlete Issues (rare periodicals)

 

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