#PHISportsHero: ADOLFO FELICIANO

ACHIEVEMENTS

Asian Games

  • 1954 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Three Positions, 50 meters – Gold
  • 1958 Asian Games – Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 meters – Gold
  • 1962 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Three Positions, 50 meters – Silver
  • 1966 Asian Games – Standard Rifle, Three Positions, 50 meters – Silver
  • 1966 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Three Positions Team, 50 meters- Silver
  • 1958 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Three Positions, 50 meters – Bronze
  • 1966 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Three Positions, 50 meters – Bronze
  • 1966 Asian Games – Small-Bore Rifle, Prone, 50 meters – Bronze
  • 1966 Asian Games – Air Rifle, Team, 50 meters – Bronze

Hall of Fame

  • 2016 – Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

BIOGRAPHY

Born on June 22, 1930, Kapampangan marksman Adolfo Feliciano did not expect a blast of a life in the world of sports.

Fondly named “Chito”, Feliciano was enrolled at the University of the Philippines when he tried out for the UP 6-Man Shooting Team for the first time – a total shot in the dark being a former fencer himself. He was ranked in the top spot of the try-outs, but did not make it into the final list of winners in the national open.

In the following years, Chito improved his skills in shooting which qualified him for the 1954 Asian Games in Manila. In this tourney, the Filipino squad took home 15 gold medals, four of which were courtesy of Chito and the Philippine Shooting team. In the next Asian Games, he won gold as well, setting the country’s standard in marksmanship.

Aside from the Asian Games, Feliciano also had the chance to represent the country in the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Summer Olympics. He competed in the 1964 edition for the demonstration sport and clinched the 2nd spot. The 1968 edition was the last Olympiad for the marksman.

In his retirement from sports, he devoted his time as head of the Sniper Training Unit in the Philippines Navy during the Marcos regime.

He was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.