Jose Sebastian G. Regis: Dreaming to become a world champ

WINNING an Olympic gold medal or a world championship is what nine-year-old Jose Sebastian Gonzales Regis dreams to achieve.

Basti, as he is fondly called, indeed has makings of becoming a world champ having started working on for his dream since he was five years old.

This fourth-grader at Brainworks School Inc. is the third among four children of Chad Robert and Ma. Teresa, who both work as employees in private companies.

He recalled, "My mother enrolled me at a Moo Duk Kwan Club as a recreational activity at first. But it turned out to become my passion."

He first got his hands at the 2nd Beefit Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do Goodwill Tournament in 2005, with barely a few months of training to back him up, and yet still salvaged a bronze medal.

In July of 2006, he took a runner-up finish in the 1st Beefit-Metro Lifestyle Inter-Club Competition. Two months later, he at last captured a gold medal in the 1st Red Knights Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do Tournament at the SM City Davao.

"I was only six years old then when I won my first gold. I felt proud of myself and even though I won the tournament, I still wanted to be better and join competitive tournaments. I watched the best Moo Duk Kwan players and wanted to meet them and be one of them," he shared.

The three-foot-ten ace went on to sweep five more golds from 2007 to 2008.

He topped his event in the Metro Lifestyle Fitness Center & Spa 1st Anniversary Sportsfest Beefit Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do on January 15 to 21, 2007 then followed it up with another titular finish in the 2nd Beefit Metro Lifestyle Inter-Club Competition Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do the next month.

In June of the same year, he ruled his class anew in the Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do Tournament at SM City Davao then dominated his rivals in a similar tournament in September.

He emerged champion again in the Inter Class and Tune-up Sparring Competition Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do at the Matina Town Square in 2008.

He said, "My mother transferred me to AAK (Association for the Advancement of Karatedo) Davao chapter. My mother saw my potential and believed that I will become much, much better in this club because I will be more exposed to national and eventually, international tournaments."

He started making a name in karatedo when he copped a gold and a silver in a tournament helt at SM City Davao on April 25, 2009. He got another gold and another silver in February of the same year.

He took a kumite gold and a kata bronze in the Super Karate Kid held in Cebu City on April 9, 2010. He clinched a kata gold in the Super Karate Kid event held at SM North Edsa, Manila last month.

Just recently, he pocketed a kumite gold and a kata silver in the All-Mindanao Age-Group Karatedo Championships held in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Discipline had paved the way for him to reap successes too big for his age.

"I enjoy karate very much. This is my favorite sport. It builds my character and trains me to be self-disciplined. I wake up early in the morning and sleep early at night. I train thrice a week and I am not allowed to watch TV at night to care for my eyes. My mother helps me with my schedule," he said.

He plays soccer or basketball during free time though.

He added, "I consider all my medals as my greatest achievement. But there's more I want to achieve and that's to be like my karate idols Sonny Montalbo, Chinno Lao and John Albarico in the future. My ultimate dream as an athlete is to become an Olympic champion."

For a nine-year-old, Basti sure knows what he intends to become and what he desires to achieve.

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