Teófilo Yldefonso

Teófilo Yldefonzo

220px Yldefonso at 1928 Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Teófilo E. Yldefonzo
Nickname(s)	"Ilocano Shark"
National team	Philippines
Born	(1903-11-05)November 5, 1903 Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands
Died	Capas, Tarlac, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	73 kg (161 lb)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Breaststroke
Medal record Men's swimming Representing the Philippines Olympic Games 1928 Amsterdam 200 m breaststroke 1932 Los Angeles 200 m breaststroke

Teófilo E. Yldefonzo (November 5, 1903 – June 19, 1942) was a Filipino breaststroke swimmer. He is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win an Olympic medal, and the only Filipino to win multiple medals.

Biography

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. He won two bronze medals in the 200 m breaststroke event, at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics, and placed 7th in 1936.

During World War II, Yldefonzo fought against the Japanese in Bataan. He survived the Bataan Death March, but later died at the Capas Concentration Camp. His remains have never been recovered.

His daughter Norma Yldefonzo competed in 2nd Asian Games held in Manila, Philippines and won Silver medal in 100m butterfly event.