Jakesone Saludar of Polomok, South Cotabato delivered the lone gold medal for his hometown in the recently-concluded Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup Mindanao Finals held at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym).
Saludar, 19, the younger brother of Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar, scored a unanimous decision victory over Ariel Almamento in the youth boys light flyweight 46-49kg category, booking his way towards the national finals.
"Grabe jud ang akoang training sir. Mata ug sayo tapos training napud. Salig pud sa Ginoo (I trained hard, sir. Wake up early and train again, also faith in God)," Saludar said on his preparation during an interview with Sun.Star Davao.
He was the only pug from Polomolok who survived until finals in the grueling amateur boxing event.
His motivation is to surpass the achievement of his brother and to compete in different places of the world while representing Philippines.
"Pangarap kaayo nako malampasan akoang kuya sir mao grabe jud akoang paningkamot kay siya man sad naga-train ug nagatambag sa akoa na ayuhon nako (I dream of surpassing my older brother's (achievement) sir, that's why I strive hard because he's the one who trains me and advises me to play my best)," Saludar said.
He is also inspired to practice boxing to keep him from vices and to sustain his studies.
"Kami lang sa akoang kuya ang naga-boxing sa amoang pamilya sir, mao kami sad nagatinabangay (I and my brother alone play boxing in the family, that's why we help each other)," he added.
He aspired to be a well-known boxer like his idol Manny Pacquiao and his older brother Rey, and to be able to compete in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.
But his ultimate dream is to banner the Philippine flag in the Olympics someday.
“Train hard lang gyud sir ug paningkamot lang jud (and strive),” Saludar said on how he will work on that dream.