Mining for gold: Benguet-based wushu athlete tops demos

David Lozada

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Mining for gold: Benguet-based wushu athlete tops demos
Alieson Ken Omengan scores a combined 17.86 points in the Nan Quan and Nan Gun demonstrations of wushu

MARIKINA CITY, Philippines – The moment Alieson Ken Omengan started his demonstration in the Nan Quan (southern first) event of wushu Tuesday, December 2, the audience was wowed of his performance. 

The Benguet-based athlete did not disappoint. On Wednesday, Omengan won the gold medal in the boys’ wushu event of the 6th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) after also topping the Nan Gun (southern staff) demonstrations with a combined score of 17.86 points.

“I think I did well. I love this sport and I’ll continue mastering it,” Omengan said.

Omengan started wushu at a young age and was inspired by his grandmother.

“My grandmother used to do Tai-chi. I thought it was fun so I tried it. A coach eventually saw me and invited me to be part of the La Trinidad team,” Omengan said.

In 2012, Manila-based coaches saw his performance in Baguio and recruited him to be part of the Philippine team.

Pay it forward

Omengan said wushu is not an easy sport. Aside from mastering the right skills, it also takes a lot of determination to pursue wushu.

“Wushu takes consistent training, sacrifice, and self-discipline. You really have to sacrifice time with your family and in academics if you want to excel in this sport,” he explained. 

His hard work has paid off. Omengan has already competed and won in international sporting events. During the 4th World Wushu Championships, he won a gold and a silver medal. He also clinched 2 gold medals in the 7th Asian Wushu Junior Championships.

The Benguet native said he learned discipline because of wushu. He said more young people should join the sport.  (WATCH: Wushu builds PH athlete’s character)

“It’s sad that wushu is only popular in few areas like Baguio and Manila. We need to make it more popular in the Philippines. I know some of the coaches are going around different regions. Young people can learn a lot from the sport,” Omengan concluded. – Rappler.com

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