HARD work and commitment during training kept triathlon champion Nikko Huelgas focused.
This got him the gold in the 29th Southeast Asian Games and he even towed his teammate John Chicano to the silver.
The 25-year-old Huelgas, who claimed a second straight gold-medal finish in the Games, said he was about to give up on his plans to be part of the national squad to the Games as so many races went bad for him. One time, he suffered from a bum stomach while in another, he was hounded by mechanic troubles that saw him lose an elite level race.
But things turned around last January when he talked to his manager Mel Macasaquit on the prospects of getting a sponsor to help him and his teammates prepare for the SEA Games this year.
“I needed to reinvent myself. I needed to change my program. A good nutrition and strengthening program will make you better,” said Huelgas, who was training with John Chicano in Subic Bay, Olongapo at that time.
Fortunately for Huelgas, he and Macasaquit were able to get the commitment of Ronald Mascarinas, president and CEO of Bounty Fresh and Chooks to Go.
For the last six months, Mascarinas committed himself to helping provide recovery meals for the national squad with their daily supply of roast chicken.
“Next we knew, we were getting the medals,” said Huelgas, who was treated to a surprise dinner testimonial on Wednesday evening by Mascarinas at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center.
Mascarinas expressed his gladness over the feat of Huelgas and the rest of the national men’s and women’s triathlon team that made 1-2 finishes during the Games.
“It’s another reason for the country to celebrate. Nikko is one of our most promising athletes. He is one of the few athletes who can cross the qualifying times for the Olympics,” said Mascarinas.
With Huelgas’ feat, Mascarinas said he is excited to extend support to him and the national squad until the 2020 Olympics if ever Huelgas qualifies.