Paulo Catayong is the “toughest competitor alive” … and he has the medals to prove it.
The Derrimut father of four will compete in April in the Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games.
Police, paramedics, firefighters and SES volunteers, lifesavers, corrections and customs officers will be among the 3000 participants vying for the Inter-Services Trophy at the Services Games.
From April 8 to 17, events will be held around Victoria, including at Bendigo, Phillip Island, Werribee, Traralgon, Ballarat and Geelong.
Mr Catayong, representing the Immigration Department, says he’s keen to repeat his gold medal effort in last year’s Toughest Competitor Alive event, held as part of the Games.
“I first decided to enter the Games six years ago and I didn’t do very well at all,” he said.
“That was a real eye-opener for me of how fit and strong people in the emergency services are. I wasn’t aware of just how much training and dedication it takes.
“I’ve been preparing for a year and training seven days a week after work. I do an hour or two in the gym every day, depending on if I’m doing a full-body workout or not.”
The Games run over 10 days and involve 22 emergency service agencies from all over Victoria in 42 sporting events.
The Toughest Competitor Alive event, on the last day of the program, tests participants in track, field, strength and endurance activities.
Mr Catayong claimed bronze in 2012, two silver medals at the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games on the Sunshine Coast in 2014, and gold last year.
Now he hopes to compete at an International Games in Montreal next year. “It’s a personal goal for me, to inspire my kids to give everything their best,” he said.
“There’s no money in it; there’s just honor and pride, and I want to set a good example for my kids and make new friends.”
Victoria Police Games Federation deputy commissioner Andrew Crisp says the Games provide a friendly and fun way for frontline workers to challenge their colleagues.
“Our emergency service workers are the first responders when a crisis occurs,” he said. “It’s rare that they’re given the opportunity to show off their physical and sporting skills.”
More details and registrations at www.emergencyservicesgames.org.au
