A CHARMING high school junior from the University of Baguio (UB) brought home the bacon as she emerged champ in the 9th Asean Taekwondo Federation Championships held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last June 5 to 7.

Apriel May Solimen, a third year student at UB High School, won the gold in kyorugi (sparring) under the lightweight division to lead the rest of Baguio jins in a triumphant medal yield.

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Discipline, humility, and good attitude are Solimen’s secret ingredients to success. “Sa lahat ng ginagawa, dapat may disiplina. We should maintain a good attitude at huwag lalaki ang ulo,” she said.

Solimen added that these traits complete all the preparations she has to undergo before a match. Preparations would include series of tough endurance trainings, regular jogging sessions, sparring sessions, and other work-outs.

Young as she is, she always sees to it that her studies and taekwondo rehearsals are always balanced. She applies proper time management for everything to be in order.

To join and win in the Olympic Games is Solimen’s motivation in her trainings and competitions. She dreams of representing the Philippines, specifically Baguio in the most distinguished international sports event.

Taekwondo was not the humble and disciplined athlete’s first love in sports. It was her parents’ desire that she gets involved in an extra-curricular activity that got her into the sport when she was in the elementary. Her public elementary school was her first training ground when she was in grade four.

Today, she continues her training in a prestigious martial arts training center. The young fighter is inspired by her senior taekwondo players, her loving parents, and her school.

To all champion-wanna-be athletes, Solimen says, “Aim high and do not lose hope. It is not the medal we should appreciate the most but the struggles we go through each time we win.”

With her skills plus her positive attitude, she is indeed on her way to the Olympics. (PR)