There’s no stopping Gina “Conviction” Iniong as she continues to carve a name for herself as one of the best martial artists in the Philippines.
Just last Tuesday, December 10, Iniong snagged the gold medal in the U55 Kilograms Women’s Kickboxing tournament in the recently concluded 2019 Southeast Asian Games at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Iniong dominated Thailand’s Apicha Mikhwan in the gold medal round, getting the nod from all three judges and snatching one of the 149 gold medals that the Philippines earned in the biennial regional games.
“It’s a great feeling. This is the first time I competed in the SEA Games, and it’s my first time in kickboxing. All the hard work we did in training really paid off,” Iniong said.
It was a triple celebration for Team Lakay, since Iniong’s teammates in ONE Warrior Series – mainstay Jerry “The Bokodian Warrior” Olsim and Jean Claude Saclag – also brought home gold medals for the Philippines.
For Iniong, though, she never doubted her team’s chances in kickboxing.
“I was confident that my teammates would get it. We worked hard in training and we saw how hard each other worked. We never stopped believing — my confidence was a hundred-percent,” Iniong said.
“I’m happy to raise the flag of the Philippines and Team Lakay, and this proves that we can hang in kickboxing as well.
“After I got married – five days after – I was trying out for kickboxing. My husband told me that I should get the gold and I’m happy I got it,” she continued.
Living up to her promise to her husband that she would win the gold after postponing their honeymoon, sacrifices will have to be made anew as Iniong begins her preparations for her return to the Circle.
On January 31, the 30-year-old battles Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka in ONE: FIRE & FURY, the first show for The Home Of Martial Arts in the Philippines for the new year.
Iniong last competed at ONE: Clash of Legends in February, where she escaped with a close decision win over Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan.
Now she hopes to make it two in a row against India’s “Knockout Queen.”
“Up next for me is at the Mall Of Asia Arena, as I’ll be back with ONE Championship, and I hope to bring my winning ways.”
The Home Of Martial Arts returns to action on January 10 for ONE: A New Tomorrow at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Catch all the action live and for free on the ONE Super App.
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