From winning her lone assignment in ONE Championship this year to marrying the love of her life, it has certainly been a great year for Filipina atomweight star Gina “Conviction” Iniong.
The only thing that could make it better is adding some gold to it.
Iniong gets a chance to represent the Philippines for the first time when she joins the eight-person kickboxing team that will compete in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games from November 30 to December 11.
“This is the first time that I’ll represent the country in any international meet, so I am excited and I’m happy for this opportunity,” Iniong said.
“Since my last fight, I’ve been training non-stop. I still want to become a World Champion, and this prestigious tournament will give me the necessary momentum moving forward.”
The challenge for “Conviction” is making her transition to kickboxing as seamless as possible.
Highly successful in wushu — where she has won six national championships — the 30-year-old is confident that she can rise above the difficulties and make the Philippines proud once again.
“I know that this is a new challenge for me, but the opportunity is here, and I plan to make good use of it,” Iniong said.
“I feel really motivated. It’s different here in the SEA Games. I’m driven to work really hard in training and prove to the whole world that I am one of the best.”
Joining Iniong are Team Lakay’s head coach Mark Sangiao and ONE Warrior Series athlete Jerry “The Bokodian Warrior” Olsim.
With familiarity in her corner and a partisan crowd at her side, the Baguio City native is not sweating the hardships they are about to face in the biennial meet.
“I am really determined to get the gold for the country and for my countrymen. I feel more confident knowing that my family and my friends will be in my corner. I will not let them down.”
For one last time this year, ONE Championship returns to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS at the Axiata Arena on December 6.
Catch all the action live and for free on the ONE Super App.
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Two World Title Matches Announced For ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS
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