Teófilo Yldefonso

Filipino swimmer (1903–1942)

Teófilo Yldefonso

Yldefonso at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam

Born|

Teófilo Yldefonso y de la Cruz

(1903-11-05)November 5, 1903

Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands

Died| June 19, 1942(1942-06-19) (aged 38)

Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, Japanese-occupied Philippine Commonwealth

Spouse|

Manuela Ella

(m. 1925)​

Children| 6
Military career
Allegiance|  United States
Philippine Commonwealth
Branch| United States Army
Years of service| 1922–1942
Rank| Sergeant
Unit| 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)
Battles / wars| Japanese occupation of the Philippines (World War II)
Sports career
Nickname| "Ilocano Shark"
National team|  Philippines
Height| 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight| 73 kg (161 lb)
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
Far Eastern Championship Games
| 1923 Osaka | 200 m breaststroke
| 1927 Shanghai | 200 m breaststroke
| 1930 Tokyo | 200 m breaststroke
| 1934 Manila | 200 m breaststroke

Teófilo E. Yldefonso (born Teófilo Yldefonso y de la Cruz; November 5, 1903 – June 19, 1942)[1][2][3] was a Filipino breaststroke swimmer. He was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win an Olympic medal, and the first Filipino to win multiple medals.

## Early life

[edit]

Teofilo Yldefonso was born on November 5, 1903, in Sitio Bayog,[4] Piddig, Ilocos Norte to Felipe and Aniceta Yldefonso. He was the second among three siblings. His mother died after giving birth to his younger brother, who died at a young age. The Yldefonso siblings taught themselves to swim at the Guisit River.[5]

Yldefonso joined 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts of the United States Army in 1922 upon turning 18 years old. It was with the military he was exposed to competitive swimming.[5]

## Career

[edit]

Yldefonso began joining regional swimming meets in the 1923. Competing in the 200-meter breaststroke, he won multiple gold medals in the Far Eastern Games (1923, 1927, 1930, and 1934).[5] He also stood out in the Philippine vs. Formosa Dual Meets (1929, 1931, 1933, and 1937).[6]

He collected a total of 144 medals in his career which lasted until 1937. He won two bronze medals in the 200 m breaststroke event, at the 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics, and placed 7th in the 1936 edition.[7]

## World War II and death

[edit]

During World War II, Yldefonso fought against the Japanese in Bataan as part of the Philippine Scouts, reaching the rank of lieutenant.[3][6]

He survived the Bataan Death March, but later died in Japanese captivity at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.[8] His remains have never been recovered[9] as he was interred in a mass grave, along with other dead soldiers. His name is etched in the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery.[10]

## Personal life

[edit]

Yldefonso was married to Manuela Ella in 1925 with whom he had six children:[5] Porfirio, Emilio, Felipe, Norma, Herminia, and Carmelito.[10]

## Legacy

[edit]

Yldefonso was named as part of the Hall of Fame by the International Swimming Federation in 2009. His unorthodox style of swimming would later become known as the "Yldefonso Stroke". It has been adapted by smaller swimmers, especially those from Asia, particularly the Japanese.[9]

Yldefenso was often referred to as "The Father of the Modern Breaststroke" in European textbooks. He is credited for popularizing a style which brought breaststroke closer to the surface of the water rather than underwater which was the common during his time.[3]

President Ferdinand Marcos also awarded Yldefonso the Presidential Award for Meritorious Service.[10]

In 2006, the municipal government of Piddig unveiled a monument in Yldefonso's honor for his feats in swimming and World War II.[7]

His daughter, Norma, competed at the 2nd Asian Games held in Manila, Philippines and won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly event.[11]

Yldefonso's silhouette is featured in the logo of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, which will be held in his native Ilocos Norte.[12]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Teófilo Yldefonso". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
2. ^ "Image of Monument to Teofilo Yldefonso 1903-1942". flickr.com. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
3. ^ a b c "Teofio Yldefonso (PHI) 1903-1942: 2010 Honor Pioneer Swimmer". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
4. ^ Alinea, Eddie G. (January 29, 2020). "Yldefonso inducted to IS Hall of Fame". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
5. ^ a b c d Pasion, Ahikam (July 30, 2021). "First Pinoy Olympic medalist has no known grave". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
6. ^ a b "Teófilo Yldefonso - Hall Of Fame Pioneer". www.swimmingworldmagazine.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
7. ^ a b Barreiro, Steve (February 19, 2006). "Lt.Teofilo Yldefonso's monument unveiled". Ilocos Times. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
8. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Olympians Who Were Killed or Missing in Action or Died as a Result of War". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
9. ^ a b Alinea, Eddie (June 8, 2014). "Sports Heroes who displayed true heroism during the war". The Standard. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
10. ^ a b c "First Pinoy Olympic medalist has no known grave". Manila Bulletin. July 30, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
11. ^ "Teofilo YLDEFONSO". Olympics.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
12. ^ "Who is the man in the Palarong Pambansa 2025 logo?". Rappler. Retrieved May 17, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Teófilo Yldefonso.

* Teófilo Yldefonso at World Aquatics
* Teófilo Yldefonso at the International Swimming Hall of Fame
* Teófilo Yldefonso at Olympics.com
* Teófilo Yldefonso at Olympedia

*[m.]: married