Mona Sulaiman


Mona Sulaiman was a Filipino sprinter who competed at the Asian Games and the Summer Olympics.

Early life

Mona Sulaiman was born in a barrio in Cotabato on 9 June 1942 to Kudelat and Aminan Sulaiman.

Career

Sulaiman started her career competing in regional meets. She competed at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta where she won gold medals in the 100 and 200 metre sprints and relay events. She also garnered a bronze medal in the shot put event at the same tournament.
She competed at the Summer Olympics in the 100 metres event at the 1960 and the 1964 editions.
Sulaiman also excelled in the disciplines of pentathlon and discus throw.

Post-retirement

Sulaiman qualified for the 1966 Asian Games but opted not to participate reportedly for refusing to undergo a gender test. Her physique and speed made some people question her gender. She retired from competitive play and worked in the private sector until the 1990s when she was hired by the Philippine Sports Commission to serve as consultants for the national athletics team. Sulaiman was inducted to the PSC Hall of Fame in January 2016.

Health and death

In October 2016, Sulaiman was reportedly confined to a wheelchair. She died in Manila on 21 December 2017. She was 75.