Josephine de la Viña (April 15, 1946 – November 4, 2011) was a discus thrower from the Philippines who is considered as her country's greatest athlete in the event. She won gold medals in her pet event at the 1966 Asian Games and 1973 Asian Athletics Championships. She also competed at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics. Personal life Born in Iloilo to a Mexican-American father and a Cebuana mother, de la Viña spent her elementary and high school years in Cebu where she excelled in softball and athletics. She later earned a scholarship at Cebu Institute of Technology. De la Viña was nicknamed "Big Jo" for her hefty six-foot frame and her trademark afro hairstyle, which made her an imposing presence on the field. Career Dela Viña eventually gave up softball and concentrated on throwing events in athletics like discus, javelin and shot put after being persuaded by school officials to develop her potential. She was just 18 years old when she won a bronze medal in discus throw at the 1962 Asian Games, placing behind Japanese Keiko Murase and Seiko Obonai. Two years later, Dela Viña competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics where she placed 18th among 21 starters. At the 1966 Asian Games, Dela Viña threw the discus at a distance of 47.58m to set a new Games record en route to winning the gold medal. She also competed in shot put where she placed fourth overall. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, the hefty Cebuana registered 46.56m to place 15th out of 16 entries. She was the only Asian competitor in the field. Dela Viña was back at the 1970 Asian Games but failed to land a medal. Two years later, she made her third Olympic appearance at the 1972 Summer Olympics where she barely missed making the final round. The Filipina had a best effort of 53.92m to place 13th overall. In the inaugural Asian Athletics Championships held in Marikina in 1973, Dela Viña threw the discus at a record distance 50.74m to comfortably win the gold medal. By doing so, she became the first Filipino athlete to win a gold medal in both the Asian Games and Asian Athletics Championships - a feat matched only by sprinter Lydia De Vega. She withdrew from the 1974 Asian Games to visit her father, who suddenly fell ill in the United States. Death Dela Viña passed away on