A Filipino native who was dumped outside a hospital at just two days old has made history for Australia – taking home gold at the Commonwealth Games in gymnastics.
Christopher Remkes, 21, claimed gold on the vault Monday, paving the way for teammate Alexandra Eade, who went onto win the women’s floor competition.
In an emotional speech delivered post victory, Remkes said his adoptive parents, Mike and Dora, from South Australia, were the driving forces behind his success.
Christopher Remkes (pictured) spent his early years in a Filipino orphanage and on Monday claimed Australia’s first gold in vault at the Commonwealth Games in 24 years
Christopher credited his father, Mike (pictured together), in an emotional speech after the win
Remkes said his adoptive parents, Mike and Dora, from South Australia, were the driving forces behind his success
‘Without my parents I wouldn’t be here today, I would probably still be in the orphanage,’ he said.
‘I owe everything to my parents, they gave me so much love and support and drove me around to all the competitions.’
The pint-sized athlete, standing at just 147cm tall, performed an impeccable winning vault which scored 14.766, trailing an exceptional 14.866-scoring opening vault.
His father recalled how one of his son’s carers said she had never seen a smile as big as the one on Christopher’s face the day he was picked up by his new parents.
‘We instantly fell in love with him and we wanted a family. We talked to the nuns at the orphanage and they had never seen him smile or happy and as soon as we took him home to Australia and nothing but smiles and bubbly and full of life,’ Mr Remkes said.
Remkes said without his parents driving him to competitions as a young boy, he wouldn’t be so successful (young Remkes pictured with gymnastic prizes)
The athlete said he owed everything to his parents, for guiding his journey as a young gymnast from the age of five (pictured on the rings as a teen)
Remkes had always had passion for gymnastics according to his father, Mike (Remkes pictured competing on vault as a youngster)
Having started gymnastics as a five-year-old, Mr Remkes said his son’s passion for the sport was unequaled.
He broke a 24-year Commonwealth Games dry spell for Australia in the vaulting competition.
‘We are proud of everything, he was given nothing in life and he has taken every opportunity and run with it.’
Remkes said his stature – or lack of it – had turned out to work in his favour.
‘My height is almost like a super power, I’m lucky to have the build I have, it means I can go fast in the air.’
Mr Remkes said he and his wife, Dora (pictured with young Christopher) were proud of all their son had achieved
Remkes (pictured at Monday’s award ceremony) said his stature – or lack of it – had turned out to work in his favour
Remkes said his height allowed him to go faster than his opponents when he traveled through the air