Bemedalled tanker draws strength from misfortune

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Michael Ichiro Kong has never failed to deliver a medal for Central Visayas in the last 5 years competing in the Palarong Pambansa swimming events.

Having done so, the pressure is off and that leaves Kong to enjoy his sixth and final stint in this national meet where he will compete in 5 events.

Despite being bemedalled, Kong has a sad tale to tell.

Kong grew up without a father, with whom he was named after. His mother told hi his dad had left them when he was one-year-old and from then on, he has never returned nor had any communication with them.

Whenever Kong feels down about this, he goes to the pool and refocuses all his thoughts on swimming practice. That focus allows him to often win his competitions.

His mother met his father when she worked in Japan. They lived together here in the Philippines until Ichiro was born and turned one.

Ichiro often wonders where his father is now saying he feels wort when he thinks about how his father is still alive but does not remember them anymore.

Ichiro said there were times he would urge his mother to try to find his father just to see if he would still recognize them.

“He disappeared and never came back. We don’t know where he is right now. Somebody told us that there is an organization which is willing to help those who are looking for their Japanese parents or husbands or wives,” said Kong. However, his mother already lost interest in finding his father.

“That’s okay with me. I don’t feel less of a person just because my father is not around. My mother has given me everything that I need. I am well loved.”

Ichiro’s mom tries to accompany him in every swimming competition. Unlike most boys, he does not mind being called a “mama’s boy”. He said he is more happy and inspired when his mom goes with him on a competition.

“I’d even tell my mom that if she won’t come with me, I will not compete. But there are really times when she can’t go.”

Swimming to enjoy

Swimming is not Ichiro’s first choice of sport. He wanted to go into taekwondo or karate-do, and even tried badminton. He was inspired by his uncle, Rommel Kong, to go into swimming. Rommel Kong is a former national gymnast before he became a diver.

Ichiro started training in swimming when he was 8 years old. Right after the first day of training, he told his mom he did not want to go back. However, he returned and even surprised himself by learning his routine in just a week.

After a year of training, Ichiro already went to his first swim meet and then to the defunct-Philippine Olympic Festival. From then on, he has been collecting medals.

Now 16 years old and on his final Palaro stint, Ichiro will be competing in the 200 and 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley, 200 backstroke and 400 freestyle.

Unlike in the previous Palaro where he felt so much pressure to deliver a medal for Central Visayas, this year, Kong vows to enjoy the competition and create a lasting memory.

“If I get a medal, good, if I don’t, still good. One thing is for sure, I will be enjoying this Palaro but still I would give it my best,” Kong said.

The Palarong Pambansa is the largest grassroots sporting even in the Philippines that aims to develop the potentials of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens.

It is the Department of Education’s way of promoting physical education and sports as an integral part of the Basic Education Curriculum. – Rappler.com