Jenelyn Olsim cannot wait to strut her wares and show that there’s a new breed of female Team Lakay stars ready to take the world by storm.
Olsim makes her ONE Championship debut when she takes on fifth-ranked strawweight Maira Mazar in a three-round mixed martial arts match at the previously recorded ONE: Fists of Fury III this Friday, March 19, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The 24-year-old has long awaited this opportunity. She knows that an impressive performance will do wonders for her career.
“I’m excited. It’s my first time and I’m representing Team Lakay. Add to it the fact that I’m facing someone who’s already in the top five of the division. I’m really pumped up for this because I know a win here would make a lot of difference for my career,” she said.
“We’re training twice a day, morning and afternoon. Of course, what’s important is we get to focus on what’s important and to stay motivated all throughout.”
For her head coach Mark Sangiao, it’s all about refining everything Olsim has in her arsenal as she takes a big step onto the global stage.
And she will definitely need it when she takes on Mazar, who’s known as an elite wrestler with an ever-evolving arsenal.
“Right now we’re preparing Jenelyn, and since this is her debut, we want her to come in well-rounded. Though we know that she already has experience, we’re still trying to teach her new techniques,” Sangiao said.
“We want to polish everything, her striking, her wrestling, everything. That’s why we call it martial arts.”
With Sangiao in her corner and excellent teammates guiding her along the way, the thought of facing a seasoned veteran like Maizar isn’t that intimidating anymore.
For Olsim, it’s all about trusting their system and putting in the necessary work come match night.
“I’m not afraid of her. I’m not afraid because I know that we’re preparing hard for her in this gym. Also, my partners are World Champions, so I’m really confident with my training,” Olsim said.
“I have my full trust in coach Mark and my teammates with this preparation. With that in mind, I don’t have to fear anything. Whatever the results may be, I know that I worked hard for this.”
Catch the previously recorded ONE: FISTS OF FURY III on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) this Friday, March 19. It will also simultaneously air on the ONE Super App.
Also, TV5 will air an encore presentation of the event at 12 a.m. PHT on Sunday, March 21.
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