Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo from Junna Tsukii

Bandwagon Wire

Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia


Elite athletes often embark on long, solitary journeys to foreign countries to further hone their craft. There, they benchmark themselves against world-class competition and get exposed to rigorous, high-level trainings.

But just like any other person who has had to leave the country in pursuit of an environment conducive to self-improvement, they too have to wrestle with the emotional strain of being away from loved ones and friendly surroundings. Even for athletes who are molded to be mentally tough, it never hurts to come across people who can give a sprinkling of the familiar, some semblance of home.

Junna Tsukii, currently ranked fifth in the world in the female kumite minus-50 kg division by the World Karate Federation (WKF) and ranked no. 2 by the Karate 1 Premier League, has made Serbia her country of preference whenever she prepares for major tournaments. She pitches camp in Arandelovac, a town located in the Šumadija District of central Serbia, about an hour away from the capital Belgrade.Serbia-pocket-tournament-Junna-Tsukii Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports news

Tsukii has been in Arandelovac since October where she has been training and sparring with Olympic medalists and world champions. She is in the thick of her preparations for the 2021 World Karate Championships which will be held on November 16 to 21 at the Hamdam Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In Kragujevac, also about an hour away from Belgrade and the fourth largest city in Serbia and the administrative center of the Šumadija District, another prominent Filipina athlete has been holding court.2021-22-First-Womens-Basketball-League-of-Serbia-Radnicki-def-Proleter-023-Jack-Animam Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports news

Jack Animam, Gilas Women’s center and former UAAP MVP of National University, has been the pillar that has helped Radnicki Kragujevac stand at fifth place in the standings of the First Women’s Basketball League of Serbia.

#ReadMore  DENR Warriors look to close out UNTV Cup Finals

Animam is the first Philippine-born player to suit up as an import in a professional league in Europe. In her first seven games for Radnicki which she has piloted to a 4-3 record, Animam has posted impressive numbers of 19.57 points and 13.42 rebounds.

Tsukii and Animam, though both members of the national teams of their respective events, had never met in person. They were also initially unaware of each other’s presence in Serbia.

It took separate interviews with Tiebreaker Times columnist and Rappler contributor Ariel Ian Clarito for the two to finally meet. It was Clarito who connected them to each other thru social media. Tsukii and Animam took it from there.

The two eminent figures in Philippine sports finally found time to meet up in person in Kragujevac last Sunday.

Serbia-Jack-Animam-and-Junna-Tsukii-dinner Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports news

Photo from Junna Tsukii

Tsukii narrated, “I went to her city because I know my way around there. We had lunch and dessert.”

“Aminin ko na star-struck ako kay Junna,” revealed Animam of their first encounter. “Kasi grabe, top karateka of the Philippines, tapos ma-meet ko for the first time.

“Pero noong nagkita kami, yakapan kaming dalawa na para bang hindi yun ang first time na nagkita kami. We talked non-stop.”

Tsukii said this after getting to know the person behind the baller in Animam, “Jack is really sweet.

“She inspired me with her strong mind and passion.”

There are a number of parallelisms in the lives of Tsukii and Animam.

Both are born of mixed heritage. While both their mothers are Filipinos, Tsukii’s father is Japanese while Animam’s father is Nigerian. Tsukii and Animam are both largely considered the best Filipina athletes in their respective sports events.

#ReadMore  UAAP issues stern warnings to Topex, Reyland Torres

In the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Tsukii won gold in kumite and Animam won a gold medal each for 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball.SEAG-2019-Karatedo-Kumite-Womens-50kg-junna-tsukii Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports newsSEAG-2019-3X3-WOMENS-GILAS Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports news

During their brief get-together, they discovered one more similarity between the two of them.

“We felt very happy that we had something in common.

“We were both thinking about the future of our country,” intimated Tsukii.

Animam affirmed this. “Sobrang happy ako to have met a kababayan that has the same experience like me here in Serbia. Sobrang nakaka-refresh lang.”

She added, “Kasi after two months of just playing basketball, we got to talk about a lot of things. Our lives, the experience, struggles, and the reason why we still keep choosing to do what we are doing. And also to see someone else’s perspective, may matututunan ka.”

Junna and Jack.

These two trailblazing sportswomen have devoted their hearts and souls to carrying the country’s flag. Both emerging to be world-class athletes in their respective events. Both of them are strong women who serve as exemplary role models for young Filipinas.

Meeting in a foreign country 6,120 miles away from the Philippines and forging what might turn out to be a beautiful friendship.

Serbia-Jack-Animam-and-Junna-Tsukii-2 Midlife Halftime: When Jack and Junna met in Serbia Bandwagon Wire Basketball Karate  - philippine sports news

Photo from Junna Tsukii

Written By


You May Also Like

Bandwagon Wire

Gilas Pilipinas Women are heading to the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with a golden opportunity to make history. A coveted spot for the...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a 57-76 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Universiade team, bowing out of podium contention in the 44th William...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a tough 94-74 loss at the hands of defending champion Japan Universiade, officially bowing out of title contention in the...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a tough blow to its title aspirations in the 44th William Jones Cup, falling to South Korea, 58-80, Friday afternoon...

Basketball

Vanessa de Jesus and Jack Animam powered Gilas Pilipinas Women to an 83-66 victory over Thailand, notching their first win in the 44th William...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women endured a tough start to their 44th William Jones Cup campaign, falling to host Chinese Taipei, 59-85, on Wednesday at the...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Pat Aquino confirmed that Jack Animam and Vanessa de Jesus will soon join the national team as it ramps...

ADMU

It had been a long but fruitful off-season for reigning UAAP Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player, Kacey Dela Rosa. After missing out on the...

Advertisement