IGOROTA mixed martial artist and Muay Thai national athlete Jenelyn Olsim formally joined Team Lakay, hoping to pursue further her dreams of becoming a world champion.
Olsim said leaving Tribal Torogi was one of the hardest decisions she has ever made but the SEA Games Muay Thai silver medalist said her transfer is all about "passion and chasing what you really want."
"My brother Jerry didn't tell me to transfer but I was driven by what I saw in him and Lito Adiwang," said Olsim.
Her brother Jerry, and One Championship rising star Adiwang were also from Tribal Torogi who made a jump to Team Lakay, considered as the country's top mixed martial arts gym.
Aside from Lito and Jerry's achievements, Jenelyn said she was inspired by how they've developed as an athlete and as an individual.
"It's my decision through my passion. I wanted to achieve a long time goal. Ngayon lang ako mas naging determined," added Jenelyn.
"I'm still grateful and always will be grateful for all the things they've (Tribal Torogi) done to me. But just like family, when you turn into an adult, you have to leave your family in order to pursue what you really want in life. I want to be more focused. I want to be a champion and I see that in Team Lakay. I really admire Team Lakay," added Olsim.
Olsim revealed she informed Tribal Torogi coach Christian Villareal of her decision to move via text.
Villareal said he was shocked and surprised with Olsim's move.
"On the profession al side, I was really molding her. I even gave her the gym to run before we moved. On the business side of things, I was trying to help her make money somewhere. Because you can't stay an athlete forever. There's a shelf life," said Villareal.
"It just hurts. I don't think we ever came short on the professional side, even in her education. It hurts but I would have preferred a better exit," added Villareal.
Villareal said he would have preferred talking to Jenelyn before her exit with the team.
"I'm over it. It just makes me mad that there was no proper exit. The time invested, the people that have supported her from day one was all in shock. I thought that I taught her enough how to express herself correctly. Feelings and emotions aside, I would understand," he said.
Olsim, meanwhile, said she will forever keep in her heart the lessons she have learned with Tribal Torogi to "respect all, fear none and every action has a reaction."
Despite the huge move, Jenelyn remains rooted on the ground, saying she found her passion in martial arts through Tribal Torogi under the leadership of Villareal, popularly called Coach Cricket and coach Brent Velasco.
"I hope you (Villareal) would accept my decisions and if you really do accept it, I hope that you would still support me. Like you always say, you treat me as a daughter before and I also treated you as a father until today. Sana kapag nakikita mo ako ay maisip mo na that was my product. I hope you are happy in what you are doing right now. Kung saan ka man nagfocus, kung sa sports, politics o sa pagiging businessman. I'm so happy for you. Maybe it's time for us to go on separate paths so we could fulfill our dreams and goals," said Olsim.
With Olsim joining the already potent Team Lakay, the squad now boasts of four lady fighters including Gina Iniong, Zephania Ngaya, and Islay Erika Bomogao.
Jenelyn has been training with Team Lakay for almost two months.
Coach Mark Sangiao, meanwhile, welcomed Jenelyn and clarified he has talked to Olsim before she was accepted to the team.
"Kinausap ko naman si Jenelyn before because I don't want to have problem with others," added Sangiao.