Roosevelt Abdulgafur hailed from the southernmost part of the Philippines and learned swimming at an early age.
He first made an impression in regional competitions when he bagged the bronze medal in the 100m and 200m freestyle of the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. At 24 years old, he competed in five events in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, making it to the semifinals of the 100m freestyle where he swam alongside an 18-year-old Mark Spitz. He also swam in the 200m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay.
He first made an impression in regional competitions when he bagged the bronze medal in the 100m and 200m freestyle of the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. At 24 years old, he competed in five events in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, making it to the semifinals of the 100m freestyle where he swam alongside an 18-year-old Mark Spitz. He also swam in the 200m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay.
GAMES
1968 Summer Olympics, Mexico City