Successful 2018 serves as inspiration for Agatha Wong moving forward
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
CRAFTING a successful season in 2018 amid a myriad of challenges that she had to face, wushu veteran Agatha Wong has only become more determined and inspired moving forward with her career.
Recently helped the Philippine wushu team to a fruitful showing at the 1st Asian Traditional Wushu Championship in China with two gold medals, Ms. Wong finished the year on a high note that also saw her winning bronze in the Asian Games.
The only Filipino woman who represented the country in the recently held wushu championship in Nanjing, Ms. Wong, a product of the College of St. Benilde, won gold medals in the women’s Taijijian and Taijiquan category.
The two top medals are in addition to the bronze in the women’s Taijiquan and Taijijian all-around event she won in the Asian Games in Indonesia early this year.
Speaking to members of media as guest at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday along with other members of the national wushu team, Ms. Wong shared that the 2018 she has had is something special and only serves to motivate her to further elevate her game.
“I think these two gold medals I got ended my 2018 on the right track. With these, I know that I’m on that level now that I can compete internationally. It only inspires me to improve more and train more,” the 20-year-old Wong said.
“I did not expect to have a season like this. You know that I went through a lot physically, have injuries heading into the Asian Games. But I just forged ahead,” added Ms. Wong, who also bared that she is still injured and has to go through therapy often.
Ms. Wong went on to say that despite the limitations that the sport of wushu is facing in the country, she feels proud of what she and her teammates are able to accomplish, highlighting the collective mindset they have to channel their frustrations to motivation.
“The training has been the same for us. It’s more of me and my teammates having the right mindset. This season was gruelling for us with a lot obstacles and challenges. But we are tried not to focus on the setbacks and instead focus on what we want to accomplish which is to bring pride to the country,” Ms. Wong said.
The wushu team said it is gearing up for more competitions in 2019, including the Southeast Asian Games which the country is hosting in November.
The two gold medals of Ms. Wong at the Asian Traditional Wushu Championship that took place from Nov. 28 to 30 was part of the seven-gold, one-silver and three-bronze haul of the Philippines.
Also winning two gold medals was Johnzenth Gajo in the men’s Changquan and Daoshu events.
Winning gold as well in their events were Daniel Parantac, Jones Inso and Thornton Sayan.
