GOLD TARGET NI MARIANO SA ASIA-OCEANIA SAMBO CHAMPIONSHIPS

AASINTAHIN ni Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) wushu champion Marianne Mariano ang gold medal sa Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships na gaganapin sa June 29-30 sa Forum de Macau stadium sa Macau.

Ang 35-year-old Air Force techical sergeant ay may matagumpay na career sa wushu-sanda bago lumipat sa sambo, isang Russian combat sport na kumbinasyon ng judo, wrestling at  mixed martial arts.

“I am really focused now. I studied sambo, not only having my knowledge when it comes striking but also added wrestling, judo and jiujitsu in my arsenal. I have a wider knowledge on how to play the game and what to do so that I will have a solid game plan,” sabi ni Mariano, sisikaping mahigitan ang kanyang bronze medal finish noong 2022 at 2023.

Tubong Tuba, Benguet na nag-aral ng MAPE (Music, Arts and Physical Education) sa University of San Jose Recoletos sa Cebu City, si Mariano ay determinadong paghusayin ang kanyang performance sa torneo na bahagi ng kanyang pagsasanay para sa Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) na gaganapin sa Bangkok, Thailand sa Nobyembre.

“Our president, sir Paolo (Tancontian), said ‘don’t aim for the diamond, aim for the gold because gold has value’,” dagdag pa ni Mariano.

Bago lumipat sa sambo, naging matagumpay ang kanyang career sa wushu, kung saan nagwagi siya ng dalawang gold medals sa sanda event (60kgs) sa SEA Games. Nanalo rin siya ng mga medalya sa Asian Championships at World Championships.

Sa SEAG noong nakaraang taon ay nagwagi siya ng silver medal (55kgs) sa kun bokator, ang ancient martial art ng Cambodia.

Kumpiyansa si head coach Ace Larida sa tsansa ni Mariano.

“Marianne is very prepared, especially with her weight. This year, we expect her to win the gold. She already has throws and has defense in the take down. She is a complete package so she has a bigger chance now,” sabi ni Larida, na aasistihan nina coach Gerard Arce at Jerry Legaspi.

Nasa national team roster din sina six-time World medalists at two-time Asian champion Sydney Sy-Tancontian; 2023 Asia-Oceania bronze medalists Robin Catalan at Aislinn Yap; 2019 SEAG champion at 2024 Dutch Open and Paris Open winner Chino Sy-Tancontian; MMA fighters Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres, John Mcleary “Pirata” Ornido, at Edemel Catalan; grappler Godwin Langbayan, Janry Pamor, Cresente Navares; at Bandung Sambo Open double-gold medalist Princess Cortez.

“We have our finest athletes in the Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships who will give their very best to bring honor and pride for our country,” wika ni Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian, nagsisilbi ring  head ng delegation.

“We are very thankful to the Philippine Sports Commission for allowing us to compete in a higher stage, to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Mayor Bambol Tolentino for lending us the facility in Tagaytay City as part of our bubble training and to Sen. Bong Go, for the unending support.”

Ang mga Pinoy ay mapapalaban sa pinakamahuhusay na atleta mula sa Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan at Uzbekistan.

(PNA)