WHILE awaiting his title defense against Jonathan Rodriguez, reigning IBF world super flyweight Filipino champion Jerwin Ancajas of Panabo City has been keeping himself busy with his own aquaponic lettuce garden in Cavite.
As I watched Chino Trinidad's report for 24 Oras Tuesday evening, September 8, I was amazed at how Jerwin knows so much about growing lettuce and how he makes sure that even his catfish and tilapia only feed on organic sources from the aquaponic system he has put up.
He houses the aquaponic garden inside his own Ancajas Survival Camp where he has been seriously training for his upcoming fight.
There was no idle time for him amid the community quarantine as the report also mentioned about him undergoing a navy SEAL training in July.
Growing lettuce and fish undoubtedly is a good stress reliever for him and that goes for almost everybody else who have started gardening during the pandemic. It is therapeutic they say. I believe so as seeing Jerwin on TV Tuesday, exudes a light aura and he looks healthy, too, so ready to climb the ring again soon.
It is understandable for Jerwin to be anxious considering his looming clash against Rodriguez. But he has handled it well with the focus he gives to his aquaponic lettuce garden and training.
Diverting his attention to doing other productive things is a good strategy to keep his mind off anxiety and boredom.
Athletes, being usually active, have been constrained from doing their regular training routines in gyms or in other sports facilities and competitions were also cancelled due to the community quarantine being imposed in different parts of the country.
Most of them undergo virtual training with their coaches while at home. But good for Jerwin who has his own training team in Cavite.
He last saw action in December 2019 against Miguel Gonzalez of Chile whom he defeated via technical knockout.
The more experience Jerwin is eyeing to improve his record of 32 wins with 22 knockouts, one loss and two draws against Rodriguez.
Wishing him the best of health and tip top shape for his title defense.