Davao del Norte Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo Jr. is looking forward to an Olympic gold medal win by Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar.
“Certainly, the seed that former congressman Tony Boy Floirendo planted in amateur boxing has already produced ripe fruits for the picking. Hopefully, in the couple of years more, it will yield an Olympic gold,” he said.
Saludar, the country’s newest amateur boxing hero, won the gold medal in the recent biennial games in Guangzhou, China with a 13-11 win against China’s Yong Chang in the 52-kilogram finals.
He will represent the Asia region as its champion in the 2012 London Olympics.
His younger brother, Victorio III, came home with a bronze medal in the 49-kilogram division.
The other campaigner from Panabo City, Charly Suarez, failed this time after losing in the elimination round.
Congressman Lagdameo Jr. said that they are now more encouraged to strengthen the Brgy. Una Boxing Program that produced the likes of the Saludars and Suarez.
Then congressman Tony Boy Floirendo Jr. started the program during his term and Lagdameo continued to support the young boxers until the ABAP national coaches recruited them to become members of the national team.
“As one big family in amateur boxing, we are happy for the achievements of the team, most especially the Saludar brothers,” said Lagdameo.
Lagdameo and Floirendo, the current Anflocor vice chairman, have continued their partnership in supporting the studies and training of the boxers who are guided every day by the coaching staff led by Romeo “Dodong” Desabille and their executive director Gene Rose Tecson.
The Brgy. Una boxers are the country’s five-time junior team champions, a feat that remains unmatched to this day. [MOSES P. BILLACURA]
