Career
While at high school in Ambos Camarines, Saavedra was trained by a Nebraskan sports coach, Clinton "Doc" Fehliman, who taught for six years in the country during its era of American influence. Although primarily interested in American football, Fehliman trained Saavedra in a variety track and field sports as an all-round athlete. This training paid off on Saavedra"s major international debut at the 1915 Far Eastern Championship Games held in Shanghai – the second edition of Asia"s first major multi-sport event.
He also took a bronze medal in the long jump.
This helped lead the Philippines to its second straight athletics championship title. Fehliman deemed Saavedra the "Jim Thorpe of the Orient", given his success across disciplines.
Saavedra returned to represent his country at the 1917 Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo. He was less successful at this competition, but still came away with multiple medals in the form of a long jump silver (behind fellow Filipino C Cardenas) and a bronze in the decathlon.
His last major appearance was the 1919 Manila Games, where he was the long jump bronze medallist.
