by:  Joycelyn P. Ituriaga

Pasig City, Philippines – The 2024 Muay Thai National Championships, held from December 3-7 at the Philippine Sports Complex, witnessed an inspiring victory as Clint Kingad Dalsen, a 19-year-old first-year BS Entrepreneurship student from College of Business Administration Department at the University of the Cordilleras, clinched the gold medal in the 57kg youth novice division.  Hailing from Sadanga, Mountain Province, Clint's journey to the top has been fueled by dedication, hard work, and the support of his family and mentors.

A Dream Realized

Clint's passion for Muay Thai was ignited by watching his uncle, Danny Kingad, and other seniors and teammates excel in the sport.  "Growing up, I saw my uncle and teammates fighting in this combat sport.  My uncle Danny Kingad inspired me to pursue and join the team," Clint shared.  His determination to help his family and his belief in the mantra "hard work pays off" drove him to train rigorously.

The Road to Gold

Reflecting on his victory, Clint expressed his elation:  "It feels absolutely incredible!  To finally achieve this goal after all the hard work and dedication is an indescribable feeling.  It's a mix of pure joy, relief, and immense pride."

Clint's preparation for the championship was intense and focused.  "I trained rigorously for months, focusing on improving my technique, strength, and conditioning," he explained.  The most challenging part of the tournament was managing the pressure and cutting weight. "I had to cut 3 kgs (6.6 lbs.) in 1-2 hours to pass the weigh-in.  I overcame this by staying grounded, focusing on my process, and visualizing my success."

Support and Inspiration

Clint credits his success to the unwavering support of his coaches, seniors, teammates, family, and friends.  "My biggest inspiration has been my coaches and teammates.  They pushed me to my limits and believed in me even when I doubted myself.  My family and friends provided constant encouragement and support throughout my journey."

Mindset and Strategy

Going into the final match, Clint maintained a mindset of focused determination.  "I approached the fight with a clear strategy, focusing on my strengths and exploiting my opponent's weaknesses.  I remained calm and composed, executing my game plan with precision and aggression."

Balancing Life and Training

Balancing training with his studies required discipline and effective time management.  "Every day, I carefully plan my schedule, prioritizing my training while ensuring I have enough time for my studies.  I also make sure to get enough rest and recovery to prevent burnout," Clint noted.

Advice for Aspiring Athletes

To aspiring Muay Thai athletes, Clint offers this advice:  "Be dedicated, disciplined, patient, and love your sport.  The journey to win in Muay Thai is challenging, but with consistent hard work and a strong mindset, anything is possible.  Never give up on your dreams and always strive for improvement. Hard work pays off."

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Clint aims to seize future opportunities to compete and dreams of performing on bigger stages like his seniors.  "In the short term, I will wait for the opportunity to come and compete again.  In the long term, I dream of competing on big stages."

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

Clint expressed his gratitude to those who supported him:  "I want to thank God, the Lions Nation MMA family, my coaches, especially Coach Eduard Folayang, my seniors, teammates, family, friends, and sponsors for their unwavering support and guidance.  This victory would not have been possible without them."

/jpi