Once again, it has been proven that there’s no such thing as overnight success for athletes, who dream big.
The long hours of sacrifices in training and the agony of defeats along the path paid off for Philip Delarmino, who finally bagged a gold medal in the International Federation of Muaythai AssociationsWorld Muaythai Championships.
“Twenty-five days bago mag 10 years sa muaythai national team. Ganyan katagal ang paghihintay ko at ng buong Team Bagsik para makuha ang pinaka-kaunaunahan na gold medal sa IFMA World Championship sa male senior elite (class A),” said Delarmino.
The 31-year-old proud son of Iloilo City emerged the new king of the men’s elite 57-kg division following a dominant performance in the finals against Aleksandr Abramov of Russia of the recent tournament that gathered the world’s best muaythai athletes in Phuket, Thailand.
In an interview with the Manila Standard, Delarmino said the gold medal is the most memorable accomplishment in his long stay with the national team.
“Sobrang saya po, sa wakas nakuha na ‘yung gold. It’s a world championship and lahat po ng mga tumalo sakin dati, nabawian ko sila this time,” said Delarmino.
His victory booked him a slot in the prestigious World Games set July 7 to 17 next year in Birmingham, USA.
World Games is a global competition that mostly includes sports that are not part of the Olympics. It is also held every four years.
“Excited na po ako maglaro doon,” said Delarmino who expects to again meet the world’s best in the muaythai, including Abramov.
The world gold came for Delarmino following a disappointing fifth-place finish in the 2019 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. He previously bagged the bronze in the 2018 World in Mexico.
Despite the pandemic, Delarmino continued his training at home before joining a bubble training with fellow national team members in La Trinidad, Benguet.
“Makapagbigay sana ito ng aral at inspiration sa lahat,” added Delarmino, who also paid tribute to his national coaches.
“Coach (Billy Alumno), sa wakas nakuha na natin. Simula umpisa ikaw na lagi ang kasama ko at kasama sa lahat ng tagumpay ko, sa lahat ng sakripisyo at tiwala mo, maraming maraming salamat coach. Edzel Ngina, ang coach na laging pinaparamdam na kahit anong mangyari ay na kakampi ako at laging nasa likuran ko lamang. Maraming salamat din sa tiyaga sa pagpapads sa ‘kin. Coach Lan Clear, maraming salamat po sa lahat din ng tulong niyo ni Coach Armando Solar, napakabuti niyo at lagi kong dadalhin lahat ng natutunan ko mula sa inyo. Coach Zaidi (Laruan), maraming salamat din pagsasanay natin, lalo na sa boxing ko,” he said.
Delarmino actually won two golds as he teamed up with Islay Bomogao in the wai kru event. Bomogao also topped the senior female wai kru, aside from bagging the bronze in the women’s 45kg division.
Aldrich Torralba took the silver in the wai kru senior male category, while Rudzma Abubakar grabbed the bronze in the 48kg division.
Team Philippines took a total of three golds, a silver and two bronze medals in the tournament.
Pearl Managuelod, secretary general of the Muaythai Association of the Philippines, took pride in her Team Bagsik, the collective name of the PH muaythai team.
“We are probably one of the least funded NSAs with no major sponsors, but we never let our limitations define our dreams,” said Managuelod.
“I have nothing but great respect and admiration to the coaches and athletes who, despite adversities, kept their head up high and stayed focused in pursuing their goals — to be better individuals, in and out of sport,” she said.