WHEN it rains, it pours, goes the cliché. So, after golden efforts by gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio comes another gold harvest by karateka Jamie Berberabe Lim.
Lim, the daughter of basketball legend Samboy “Skywalker” Lim, ruled the 68-kg kumite in the recent 2019 Amator Spor Haftasi Karate Championship in Sakarya, Turkey.
She won by an 8-0 landslide, towing her seven other medal-winning teammates honing up their skills for the Manila SEA Games starting Nov. 30.
The silver medalists were Rexor Tacay (men’s 67-kg kumite), Ivan Agustin (men’s 75-kg kumite) and Miyuki Tacay (women’s 61-kg kumite), while the bronze winners were Mae Soriano (women’s 55-kg kumite), Eugene Dagohoy (men’s 84-kg kumite), Prince Alejo (men’s 67-kg kumite) and Shariel Afif (men’s 75-kg kumite).
It was not a world championship, making the tournament lacking a bit in luster. But nonetheless, it produced a resounding impact as Lim’s victory and her teammates’ efforts spoke volumes about our spirited preparation for the coming 11-nation regional meet.
I’m also sure the results brought joy to every Filipino praying hard for a Philippine resurgence in the SEA Games, lifting our sagging spirits amid the country’s continuing slide in the event’s last six editions after we captured the overall crown in 2005.
And to cap it all, Jamie more than made her father proud, the accomplishment coming at a time when Samboy Lim is courageously struggling to put his life back to normal after suffering a massive stroke some years ago.
Jamie Lim’s golden effort in Turkey may not have earned her P2 million like Yulo and Petecio, but her performance has warmed the heart of a nation ever grateful to those bringing home honors from overseas. Any competition is always a test of will and spirits, and the Turkey event is no exception.
Maybe, the global heroism of both Yulo and Petecio—include that of pole vaulter EJ Obiena—had rubbed off on Jamie Lim, and even on her seven teammates?
I’ll readily agree if you say yes.