Fortunato Yambao

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFortunato•Yambao
Used nameFortunato•Yambao
Born16 October 1912 in Santa Lucia, Masantol, Pampanga (PHI)
Died23 June 1970 in Cavite, Cavite (PHI)
AffiliationsPhilippine Scouts, Masantol (PHI)
NOC Philippines

Biography

Fortunato Yambao was the first Olympian of the ethnic group of the Kapampangan from the island of Luzon. He was a member of the Philippines’ basketball team placing fifth with just one loss against eventual gold medal winner United States. Yambao pursued a military career in the US Army. In World War II, he was taken prisoner-of-war by the Japanese and was held in custody for several years. Yambao was eventually promoted to the rank of lieutenant and took US citizenship.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) PHI Fortunato Yambao
Basketball, Men (Olympic) Philippines 5