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BY RHICK LARS VLADIMER ALBAY
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FOR young Ilonggo muay thai athletes, winning the 2017 Muay Thai National Open in late July in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental was a big deal.
“Finally nahatagan kami sang tyansa nga ma-prove nga ang Iloilo City has a pool of talented and skillful fighters,” said Rho Fajutrao, coach of the Iloilo delegation and head of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines – Iloilo chapter.
Their team of fighters brought home 11 medals: six gold, three silver and two bronze.
“Kulang lang diri ang chance. Amo ni sia ang first gid nga stepping stone nga mapakita man namon sa bilog nga Pilipinas nga ari kami di kag isa kami sa mga maayo nga regions when it comes to producing athletes nga Olympic-level,” Fajutrao told Panay News.
The athletes managed victories while juggling schoolwork, Fajutrao said.
Fritz John Estrella of Mandurriao National High School (senior male, 63kg) won gold in the Advanced category. A senior high school student in Mandurriao National High School, the 18-year-old son of the team’s other coach Johnny said he spends two to three hours training every day.
“Kis-a kapoy man e kay ginasabay ang training kag eskwela,” Estrella said. “Pero sadya kay nag-pay off tanan nga sakripisyo kag training, especially kay since 9 years old pa ko naga-muay thai.”
This may be true, said silver medalist Paiton Rey Gaitan of Mandurriao National High School (senior male, 54kg), but joining the sport has benefits. “Entra kamo sa sports kay mapalayo kamo sa bisyo, mabuligan pa kamo sa pag-eskwela kay usually may scholarship,” he said, addressing fellow teens.
Now more than ever, the team needs support, what with a slew of competitions in the near future. “We have another one sa September – the Mindanao Leg – and the Manila Leg in November,” said Fajutrao. “If nami ila performance and madaog sila liwat, may chance sila i-represent ang Philippines sa international [leg]. Tapos by December may ara pa gid Philippine National Games.”
Fajutrao said they hope to compete in the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympics.
“Sa mga local officials ta, tani mabuligan man ta kay damo ginadala namon nga athletes nga dako ang potential,” he said. “Kon mabuligan pa gid kag masuportahan kami maayo sa upcoming nga national and international events, [we hope] ma-continue namon ang winning streak.”
Fajutrao and his crew are ready to compete once more – not just for their own gain and the accolades but also to raise the banner of Iloilo as a hub of various sports disciplines. (With Ian Paul Cordero/PN)
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