By Myris Lee
Gina Iniong is looking to add another gold to the country’s medal haul, this time around in Vovinam, in the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In an exclusive interview with PTV Digital, the 2022 SEA Games kickboxing women’s 60-kg gold medalist shared her excitement to play Vovinam because this is the first time our country will participate in the sport at the biennial meet.
Inong also added that she volunteered to play in the 65-kilogram category of the sport.
“65-kilogram ‘yung weight category ko dito, kulang tayo sa mabigat na atleta kaya nagkusa rin ako sa coach ko na ako na lang ‘yung ilagay doon sa 65 kasi sayang din ‘yung entry. Pumayag naman sila,” she said.
According to Iniong, it will not be hard for her to adjust in the sport while on the game, as she obviously excels in any kind of martial arts.
Aside from being a kickboxing champion, the Benguet native is also a six-time national wushu champion,and previously competed at ONE Championship.
“Sa totoo lang po, challenging po itong Vovinam. Ang maganda alam namin kung paano ‘yung point system pero ‘yung sipa at tsaka ‘yung takedown, nasa amin na naman iyon kasi ginagawa rin naman namin ‘yun kaya hindi rin kami masyadong mahihirapang mag-adjust,” she said.
Iniong, Zephania Ngaya and 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Jenelyn Olsim make up the women’s Vovinam combat team.
Other Team Lakay members such as Danny Kingad, Carlo Buminaang and Renato Cha Jr., will also participate in the men’s Vovinam combat team.
Vovinam is a Vietnamese martial art that combines wrestling and self-defense. It has two categories, namely combat and technique combination. It will be making a SEA Games comeback after nine years.
The Vovinam tournament is scheduled from May 18 to 22. – ag
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