Teófilo E. Yldefonso was a breaststroke swimmer. He is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win an Olympic medal, and the only Filipino to win multiple medals. Born in Sitio Bayog, Bgy.4,
Bimmanga, Piddig, Ilocos Norte, he began swimming at the Guisit River as a small boy. He started competing in 1921 and collected a total of 144 medals over the next 16 years. After winning bronze medals in the 200 m breaststroke at the Olympic Games of 1928 and 1932, Teófilo Yldefonso competed again in 1936 and placed seventh. Yldefonso beat the Japanese swimmers winning gold at four consecutive Far Eastern Games from 1923-34 and improved the breaststroke technique, which earned him the title “The Father of the Modern Breaststroke”.
Bimmanga, Piddig, Ilocos Norte, he began swimming at the Guisit River as a small boy. He started competing in 1921 and collected a total of 144 medals over the next 16 years. After winning bronze medals in the 200 m breaststroke at the Olympic Games of 1928 and 1932, Teófilo Yldefonso competed again in 1936 and placed seventh. Yldefonso beat the Japanese swimmers winning gold at four consecutive Far Eastern Games from 1923-34 and improved the breaststroke technique, which earned him the title “The Father of the Modern Breaststroke”.
GAMES
1928 Summer Olympics,
1932 Summer Olympics,
1936 Summer Olympics, Berlin
1932 Summer Olympics,
1936 Summer Olympics, Berlin