{{short description|American Paralympic football player (born 1981)}} {{Use American English|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox sportsperson
| | name = Gavin Sibayan | image = | imagesize = | caption = | fullname = | nicknames = | nationality = {{USA}} | club = | collegeteam = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|1|3}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | height = | weight = | paralympics = 2012 Summer Paralympics | sport = Soccer / Cerebral palsy soccer, Swimming | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Paralympic 7-a-side football}} {{MedalCompetition|America's Cup}} {{MedalBronze | 2014 | Men's }} {{MedalCompetition|BT Paralympic World Cup}} {{MedalBronze | 2012 Manchester | Men's }} {{MedalCompetition|International 7-a-Side Football Tournament}} {{MedalSilver | 2014 | Men's }} {{MedalSport | Swimming}} {{MedalCompetition|Warrior Games}} {{MedalGold | 2010 | Men's 50-meter freestyle }} {{MedalGold | 2010 | Men's 100-meter freestyle }} {{MedalGold | 2010 | Men's 50-meter backstroke }} {{MedalGold | 2010 | }} {{MedalBronze | 2011 | Men's 50-meter backstroke }} | updated = 18 June 2016 }} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = | name = Gavin Sibayan | branch = U.S. Army | service_years = 2006 - 2011 | rank = Staff Sergeant | awards = {{plainlist| * Purple Heart * Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) }} }}
'''Gavin Sibayan''' (born January 3, 1981) is an American Paralympic football player. A United States Army veteran, Sibayan enlisted in 2001 and would retire at the rank of Staff Sergeant with an Army Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart. In 2007, he was involved in three IED incidents, the third of which left him with Traumatic Brain Injury that resulted in a permanent disability.
A high school swimmer, Sibayan transitioned to para-swimming where he represented the Army at the 2010 and 2011 Warrior Games. He won four gold medals and a bronze.
While still in active service, Sibayan was named to the USNPT team in 2010. As a member of the team, he won silver at the 2014 International 7-a-side Football Tournament, and bronze at the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup and at the 2014 America's Cup. He was part of the USNPT at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, and was part of the squad in the lead up to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.
== Personal ==
Sibayan was born on January 3, 1981, and is Colorado Springs, Colorado.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/03/03/16/08/160303-pnt-paralympic-team-heads-to-chula-vista-for-training-camp|title=U.S. PARALYMPIC TEAM HEADS TO CHULA VISTA FOR TRAINING CAMP|date=March 3, 2016|website=U.S. Soccer|publisher=U.S. Soccer|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/olympics/2012/08/25/colorado-boasting-athletes-london-2012-paralympics/23380/|title=Colorado boasting 2nd most U.S. athletes at London 2012 Paralympics|last=Dumlao|first=Ros|date=August 25, 2012|work=Denver Post|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Stokley">{{Cite news|url=http://www.timescall.com/opinion/letterstotheeditor/ci_21534258/newstip|title=Catherine Stokley: No Paralympics coverage?|last=Stokley|first=Catherine|date=September 13, 2012|work=Times-Call|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.blazesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/London_2012_Paralympic_Games_Media_Guide1.pdf|title=Team USA Media Guide|date=2012|website=Blaze Sports|publisher=United States Olympic Committee|access-date=May 21, 2016|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517110540/http://www.blazesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/London_2012_Paralympic_Games_Media_Guide1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a youngster, he went to Flynn Elementary and then Shaw Heights Middle School. He then attended Westminster High School, graduating in 1999.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=http://www.westminsterpublicschools.org/Page/5877|title=WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year|date=December 18, 2014|website=Adams County School District 50|publisher=Westminster Public Schools|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2010/05/15/competing-for-new-life-at-warrior-games/|title=Competing for new life at Warrior Games|last=Meyer|first=John|date=May 15, 2010|work=Denver Post|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> He is married and has two sons.<ref name=":9" />
Sibayan is a United States Army veteran, retiring after reaching the rank of staff sergeant in 2011.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dorian-de-wind/paralympics-veterans_b_1872254.html|title=The 'Greatest Paralympics Ever' Come to an End|last=de Wind|first=Dorian|date=September 11, 2012|work=Huffington Post|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/12/04/us-soccer-honors-deandre-yedlin-morgan-brian|title=DeAndre Yedlin, Morgan Brian named U.S. Soccer Young Athletes of 2014|date=December 4, 2014|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/military-veterans-get-another-chance-to-represent-their-country-at-parapan-am-games-just-in-a-different-uniform|title=Military veterans get another chance to represent their country at Parapan Am Games, 'just in a different uniform'|last=Faris|first=Nick|date=August 12, 2015|work=National Post|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lacancha.net/2012/08/31/u-s-paralympic-national-team-paralympic-games-riverbank-arena-london-england-sept-1-9-2012/|title=U.S. Paralympic National Team – Paralympic Games Riverbank Arena; London, England Sept. 1-9, 2012|last=Robbins|first=Gerard|date=August 31, 2012|work=La Cancha|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930153408/http://lacancha.net/2012/08/31/u-s-paralympic-national-team-paralympic-games-riverbank-arena-london-england-sept-1-9-2012/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59186|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905102012/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59186|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2015|title=Soldier Overcomes Lifelong Fear with Warrior Games|last=Carden|first=Michael J.|date=May 14, 2010|work=American Forces Press Service|access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref> He enlisted in the Army following the events of September 11.<ref name=":9" /> He was initially placed in the 543rd Military Police Company, 91st MP Battalion.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://csmng.com/2011/05/26/sibayan-swimming-superman/|title=Sibayan: Swimming Superman|last=Mazerall|first=Jeanne|date=May 26, 2011|work=Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> The gunner did a tour of Iraq while in the Army from 2006 to 2008.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/12/03/19/41/141204-pnt-gavin-sibayan-aoty-qa|title=Q&A WITH 2014 U.S. SOCCER DISABLED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR GAVIN SIBAYAN|date=December 4, 2014|website=U.S. Soccer|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/14454/goal-service-continues-for-veterans-paralympic-soccer-players/|title=GOAL: Service Continues for Veterans, Paralympic Soccer Players|last=Molina|first=Mike|date=June 12, 2014|website=VAntage Point|publisher=US Veterans Affairs|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bist.ca/q-a-with-us-7-a-side-football-champ-gavin-james-sibayan-2/|title=Q&A with Gavin James Sibayan|last=M|first=Celia|website=The Brain Injury Society of Toronto|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> During his tour, he was injured by three IEDs in thirty days. The third IED incident on September 8, 2007, left him with permanent paralysis as a result of a Traumatic Brain Injury and hip damage.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> After receiving initial treatment for his injuries two weeks after the fact in Germany,<ref name=":8" /> he would later be based at Fort Carson as part of the Warrior Transition Battalion.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /> Honors he earned while serving include the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and a Purple Heart.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":8" />
While traveling with the USNPT in 2011 in Holland, Sibayan had a stroke.<ref name=":6" />
== Swimming == As a junior and senior at Westminster High School, Sibayan was the captain his school's varsity swimming team.<ref name=":10" />
As part of his rehabilitation, while based at Fort Carson, Sibayan trained at the pool at Colorado College.<ref name=":10" /> He assisted other Army vets in learning how to swim while having a disability.<ref name=":3" /> With only a month's lead time to train,<ref name=":10" /> he participated in the 2010 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado in swimming events. He went into the event as one of the favored swimmers.<ref name=":11" /> He swam in the men's 50 and 100-meter freestyle events, and 50-meter backstroke events for swimmers with traumatic brain injuries. During the competition, he was coached by Army coach Holly Roselle.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="army">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59162|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906131548/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59162|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2015|title=Army Earns Archery Medals, Has Top Swimming Qualifying Times|last=Sample|first=Doug|date=May 13, 2010|work=DoD News|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref> He came away from the event with four gold medals.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wtc.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/05/wounded-warriors-demonstrate-resilience-at-warrior-games/|title=Wounded Warriors Demonstrate Resilience at Warrior Games|last=Cheek|first=Gary|date=May 17, 2010|website=Warrior Transition Command|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref>
At the 2011 Warrior Games, Sibayan won a bronze medal in the 50-meter backstroke event for the Army. He also had a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle event and a seventh-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":7" /> He entered the Games at a disadvantage compared to the previous year as he had less time to train as he had started to make the transition in late 2010 to soccer.<ref name=":11" />
== Soccer == When Sibayan was a senior at Westminster High School, he captained his team's boys soccer team. Early in his high school career, he had first played in goal before he eventually transitioned to being a sweeper.<ref name=":9" />
== Cerebral palsy football == Sibayan is a CP7 classified footballer,<ref name=rostersalou/> who plays as a midfielder or defender.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117732|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905202657/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117732|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2015|title=Family Supports Marine During Paralympic Competition|last=Marshall Jr.|first=Tyrone C.|date=September 3, 2012|work=American Forces Press Service|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>
Sibayan earned his first call up to the national team in 2010, and participated in a tournament in Holland in early 2011.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":6" /> After that, health reasons briefly left him off the roster while he finished rehabilitation.<ref name=":6" />
In 2012, Sibayan was one of three members of the USPNT to be get funding assistance from the Challenged Athlete Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.challengedathletes.org/site/c.4nJHJQPqEiKUE/b.8326607/k.9E/2012_CAF_Paralympians.htm|title=2012 CAF Paralympians|date=2012|publisher=Challenged Athlete Foundation|access-date=June 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006153516/http://www.challengedathletes.org/site/c.4nJHJQPqEiKUE/b.8326607/k.9E/2012_CAF_Paralympians.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> He represented the United States at the 2012 Ukraine International Tournament and 2012 Paralympic World Cup.<ref name=":1" /> He played for the United States against Great Britain in the British hosted World Cup, which Great Britain won 7–0.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-gb-captain-matt-dimbylow-clears-the-ball-from-gavin-sibayan-during-41237635.html|title=GB captain Matt Dimbylow clears the ball from Gavin Sibayan during GB's 7-0 win in the Paralympic World Cup at Sportcity, Manchester UK|last=Fryer|first=John|date=May 24, 2012|publisher=Alamy Stock Photo|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref>
Sibayan was part of the United States squad at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.<ref name="Stokley"/><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/olympics/2012/08/25/colorado-boasting-athletes-london-2012-paralympics/23380/|title=Colorado boasting 2nd most U.S. athletes at London 2012 Paralympics|last=Dumlao|first=Ros|date=August 25, 2012|work=Denver Post|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lacancha.net/2012/08/31/u-s-paralympic-national-team-paralympic-games-riverbank-arena-london-england-sept-1-9-2012/|title=U.S. Paralympic National Team – Paralympic Games Riverbank Arena; London, England Sept. 1-9, 2012|last=Robbins|first=Gerard|date=August 31, 2012|work=La Cancha|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930153408/http://lacancha.net/2012/08/31/u-s-paralympic-national-team-paralympic-games-riverbank-arena-london-england-sept-1-9-2012/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestarnews.com/sports/let-the-games-begin-london-calls-to-chula-vista-olympic-training-center-athletes/|title=Let the Games begin! London calls to Chula Vista Olympic Training Center athletes|last=Brents|first=Phillip|date=July 27, 2012|work=The Star-News|access-date=May 17, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://theoriginalwinger.com/2012/08/video-u-s-paralympic-soccer-team-ready-for-london-games/|title=Video :: U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team Ready For London Games|last=Dunny|date=August 28, 2012|work=The Original Winger|access-date=June 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923153442/http://theoriginalwinger.com/2012/08/video-u-s-paralympic-soccer-team-ready-for-london-games/|archive-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref> The United States was drawn in Group B with Ukraine, Great Britain and Brazil.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/09/us-paralympic-national-team-head-coach-jay-hoffman-selects-roster-for-paralympic-games|title=U.S. PARALYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH JAY HOFFMAN SELECTS 12-PLAYER ROSTER FOR 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES|date=July 26, 2016|work=US Soccer|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref> Their opener was against reigning Paralympic gold medal winners Ukraine.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/34/us-paralympic-national-team-faces-ukraine-in-2012-london-paralympics-opener|title=U.S. PARALYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM FACES UKRAINE IN 2012 LONDON PARALYMPICS OPENER|date=August 30, 2012|publisher=U.S. Soccer|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> The United States lost in that competition to Brazil 0 - 8, and to Ukraine 0 - 9.<ref name=":4" /> They lost to Great Britain 0 - 4 during group play.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://paralympics.org.uk/news/seven-a-siders-slot-four-past-usa-for-first-games-points|title=Seven-a-siders slot four past USA for first Games points|date=September 5, 2012|work=ParalympicsGB|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708115517/http://paralympics.org.uk/news/seven-a-siders-slot-four-past-usa-for-first-games-points|archive-date=July 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Sibayan was one of four defenders who participated in a national team training camp in March 2013 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.southernsoccerscene.com/2013/03/15/paralympic-soccer-roster-2/|title=Paralympic Soccer Roster|last=Southern Soccer Scene|date=March 15, 2013|work=Southern Soccer Scene|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> He was part of the United States team that participated in the 2014 Americas Cup, where he played in every game on the way to the US claiming bronze.<ref name=":2" /> Sabiyan opened the bronze medal match against Canada with a goal in the sixth minute on the way to the team's 3 - 0 victory. He also put in his final goal of the game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/brazil-crowned-americas-cup-champions|title=Brazil crowned Americas Cup champions|date=October 1, 2014|work=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> In 2014, he was part of the USPNT that competed at the 9th International 7-a-Side Football Tournament. The USPNT finished second at the tournament.<ref name=":7" /> In 2014, he was nominated for U.S. Soccer's Disabled Athlete of the Year award alongside deaf footballer Meghan Maiwald and powerchair footballer Natalie Russo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=39446|title=TIM HOWARD'S THE MAN|date=November 20, 2014|work=Big Apple Soccer|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> He came away with the prize.<ref name=":2" />
In 2015 and 2016, Sibayan based his regular soccer training away from the national team at a RedLine Athletics facility, where he worked regularly with a personal trainer on ball skills. He also worked with another personal trainer on mobility, strength and conditioning<ref name=":8" /> In March 2015, he was part of the 14 man roster that participated in the Povoa de Varzim, Portugal hosted Footie 7 – Povoa 2015 tournament.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://rushsoccer.com/en/86-front-page-stories/301-keith-johnson-us-paralympic-national-team|title=KEITH JOHNSON – US PARALYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM|date=September 1, 2015|website=Rush Soccer|access-date=May 21, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807192836/http://rushsoccer.com/en/86-front-page-stories/301-keith-johnson-us-paralympic-national-team|url-status=dead}}</ref> The competition was a warmup for the World Championships that were held in England in June 2015.<ref name=":02" /> He was invited to a national team training camp that took place from April 29 to May 6, 2015, in Carson, California. This camp was in preparation for the 2015 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships in June of that year in England.<ref name="carsoncamp">{{Cite news|url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/63483/us-paralympic-team-prepping-for-world-championsh.html|title=U.S. Paralympic team prepping for world championship|last=Woitalla|first=Mike|date=April 27, 2015|work=Soccer America Daily|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> At that competition, he stayed on the bench in the team's 10 - 0 loss to England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/disability/2015/jun/england-v-usa-match-report-200615|title=England booked an intriguing final Cerebral Palsy World Championships fixture against the Republic of Ireland, after a commanding 10-0 victory against USA.|last=Reid|first=Jamie|date=June 26, 2015|website=The FA|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>
Sibayan was part of the 14 man squad that represented the United States at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto. There, the United States played Canada, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.soccernation.com/uspnt-roster-for-the-2015-parapan-american-games/|title=USPNT ROSTER FOR THE 2015 PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES|date=August 6, 2015|work=Soccer Nation|access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> He took part in a national team training camp in Chula Vista, California in early March 2016.<ref name=":0" /> He was part of the USPNT that took part in the 2016 Pre Paralympic Tournament in Salou, Spain.<ref name="rostersalou">{{Cite web|url=http://media.wix.com/ugd/ec86d3_605daf1002c543fbb466a4d9298f8bf5.pdf|title=United States — Roster|website=IFCPF|publisher=IFCPF|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> The United States finished 6th after beating Argentina in one placement match 4 - 3 and losing to Ireland 4 - 1. The goals scored in the match against Argentina were the first the USA scored in the tournament, before putting up one more in their match against Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifcpf.com/tournaments/match/171|title=Ireland — USA|website=IFCPF|publisher=IFCPF|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifcpf.com/tournaments/match/170|title=USA — Argentina|website=IFCPF|publisher=IFCPF|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifcpf.com/tournaments/match/169|title=Argentina — Ireland|website=IFCPF|publisher=IFCPF|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> The tournament featured 7 of the 8 teams participating in Rio. It was the last major preparation event ahead of the Rio Games for all teams participating.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifcpf.com/tournaments/international-tournament-schedule|title=Schedule|website=IFCPF|publisher=IFCPF|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510134713/http://www.ifcpf.com/tournaments/international-tournament-schedule|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== References == {{Portal|United States|Association football}} {{reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sibayan, Gavin}} Category:7-a-side footballers at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Category:7-a-side footballers at the 2016 Summer Paralympics Category:1981 births Category:American disabled sportspeople Category:Living people Category:Paralympic 7-a-side soccer players for the United States Category:American men's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Colorado Springs, Colorado Category:Men's association football defenders Category:American people of Filipino descent Category:Sportspeople of Filipino descent Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War Category:Military personnel from Colorado Category:21st-century American sportsmen