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Harry Tañamor: Light Flyweight Giant |
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Source : Staff
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 19:47 |
 Fierce is the last word that would come to mind when you meet the country’s lone boxer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Although the 30-year old Zamboangueño, exudes humility and gentleness, Harry Tañamor becomes the master of the four-cornered boxing ring during matches.
Being the 5th of nine siblings, Harry’s interest in boxing was sparked when he was 19 through the influence of his older brothers who were also boxers in their town. His serious training only began in 1999 when he was 21 years old. He competed in the National Open and in the Philippine National Games in Zamboanga.
This year will be Harry’s 2nd time at the summer games, having represented the country in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He looks up to boxing greats such as Oscar dela Joya and fellow Filipino boxers, Olympic bronze medallist Roel Velasco and WBC super featherweight champion, Manny Pacquiao. “Harry enthused with pride in his voice, “Magaling at matapang talaga ang mga boxers natin. Lumalaban talaga ang mga Pinoy.” (Our Filipino boxers are really skillful and courageous. Filipinos always fight the best way they can.)
Harry has ironed out his game plan for his second stint at the Olympics. “Alam ko na yung strategy ko at pag-iigihan ko pa lalo yung training ko para mas magaling yung laban ko,” he quipped. (I’ve mapped out my strategy and I will exert more effort in my training so I could put up an excellent fight.)
Beyond his victories in the boxing ring, Harry’s main success is making his family happy and proud. The Olympic hopeful says that he is happy whenever his wife and two kids are happy. “Importante sa kin yung suporta ng pamilya ko dahil sila yung nagbibigay sa kin ng inspirasyon.” (The support of my family is important because they serve as my inspiration.) Harry shares that he doesn’t want his kids to get into boxing as much as possible, “Ayokong masaktan sila, pero kung gusto talaga nila susuportahan ko pa rin sila.” (I don’t want my kids to get hurt, but if that’s what they really want to do, then I would still support them.)
When he is not training or preparing for a big meet, Harry enjoys his time with his wife and kids, “Namamasyal kami sa mall kasama yung mga bata.” (We go to the mall with the kids.)
Aside from his twice-daily boxing training under his coach, Patricio Gaspi, Harry works on his strength and technique by jogging, going to the gym, practicing sparring, free sparring and technique sparring. “Ginagawa ko yung lahat ng makakaya ko sa training para maging matagumpay ako sa Olympics kasi di lang ‘to para sakin. Para ito sa pamilya ko at sa bansa.” (I am doing my best with in training so that I could be successful in the Olympics. All my efforts aren’t just for me. This is for my family and my country.)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 July 2008 20:02 )
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