Mark Javier: Aiming for Excellence at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

As all seniors were, he was excited to graduate from Siliman University with a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology (IT), but something set him apart from his batch mates. Just a week after getting his college diploma, when all his contemporaries were searching for their first jobs, Mark Javier, on the other hand, went to Manila to enter a qualifying tournament that would feed to the Philippine National Archery Team. Mark was definitely on his way towards his ultimate dream.

At a young age, Mark already found a keen interest in target shooting because of his father’s penchant for air gun shooting. As an only son, he shared his father’s hobby and took it with him until college. In 1998, with the lack of an air gun shooting team in Siliman University, Mark opted to go for an activity that also required shooting targets. He knew that his school was well-known for archery so on that same year, he decided to become a member of the Siliman University Dumaguete Archery Club. He went on to become a varsity archer and the rest is history.

Today at 26, Mark has already made his family very proud, but beyond this, he has put the country in the spotlight when he won 1st place in the continental archery qualifiers in the Asian Archery Championships for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, besting crème of the crop archers from India and Malaysia. “Competing in the Olympics has been my ultimate dream ever since I became an athlete, ever since I became an archer,” enthused Mark.

Mark is very reserved and quiet with the calmness that might belie his ability to shoot a mean bow. These characteristics though come as an advantage for his sport. According to the Olympic hopeful, in addition to proper technique, form and skill, a world-class archerneeds to have lots and lots of patience, dedication and good mental management to achieve exceptional precision.

Mark continuously pushes himself further to improve and develop his skill in recurve archery, but he has already mastered the dedication part. Except on Sundays, he trains everyday in Dumaguete under the tutelage of another Filipino great in archery and 2000 Sydney Olympian, Jennifer Chan. Aside from the usual bow training, he lifts weights and jogs for strength. Mark adds, “It’s essential to love what you do because what’s the point of practicing everyday if you don’t like what you’re doing?”

Being a full-time archer for almost a decade, Mark has sacrificed a lot in order to be where he is right now. “There were a lot of job opportunities for me after college, which I couldn’t attend to because of my training. That was the price I had to pay and that was my choice because my top priority and passion was archery.” Mark is lookingforward to pursuing a career in IT after his Olympic stint.

Although he is a young man of few words, Mark has a lot to say when it comes to his choice of sport and his inspirations.. “The uniqueness of the sport and the early influence of my dad on target shooting made me love archery. It’s a sport that not everyone or anyone could just do.” Mark also carries a miraculous medal from his grandmother every time he competes. He quips, “My family has always been my inspiration for targeting excellence and I’m lucky to get 100% support from them.”

One could already see the accuracy and meticulousness just by observing Mark preparing his equipment. Tall and slender and just a mere 110 lbs., Mark commands his 44 pound red bow like a natural robin hood.

Mark wears our country’s colors proudly. He actually describes himself as “proud na proud” to be a Filipino athlete. According to him, Filipino athletes have a relentless fighting-til-the-end attitude, ‘laban kung laban’ in the vernacular. “Whatever happens or no matter what the situation is, Pinoy athletes just have what they call a great heart and a positive disposition even if they lose,” said Mark with such pride in his voice.

This great heart of our local athletes is the reason why they deserve all the support they can get from each and every Filipino. Mark shared, “Having the support from our countrymen boosts our confidence and heightens our zeal to perform as best as we can.”

Enjoining the Filipino people to rally behind our athletes is the main reason why Microsoft Philippines decided to initiate the Olympinoy campaign in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee. The main goal of the campaign is to empower our Filipino athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and provide the channel for all Filipinos to show their support for the Olympians.

“Our athletes have always been heroes, they fight for our country and share the honor they receive. It’s high time we intensify that support for them and reward them for their hard work commitment,” said Rafael Rollan, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines. “Mark has put the country in the international eye by bagging the top spot during the qualifiers and he is one of the many dedicated individuals who serve as inspirations and sources of national pride.”

Mark acknowledges that importance of the many initiatives being carried out to support the athletes. “Campaigns such as Olympinoy will greatly help us in terms of provisions for training and boosting our morale.”

Aside from winning the qualifiers, Mark has received a gold and bronze medal in team events in various Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). Prior to flying to Cairo, Egypt for his Olympics training in April, he will take on two tournaments in Turkey and France.

With all his achievements and potential to reap more, Mark wants people to see him as a very simple person with a calmness that he brings not only during archery competitions, but in any ordinary day.