Walang nakikitang problema si Rene “The Challenger” Catalan sa kanyang mga plano na lumaban sa darating na Southeast Asian Games at ang kanyang pangarap na maging World Champion sa ONE Championship.
Kinumpirma ni Catalan na magbabalik siya sa biennial regional competitions para sa combat sambo pero sigurado siyang hindi ito makakagulo sa plano niyang i-maintain ang kanyang pagkapanalo sa The Home Of Martial Arts.
Sinabi niya na pinayagan na siya ng mga boss sa ONE bago siya magdesisyon na lumaban para sa Pilipinas.
“I had to ask the authorities regarding this decision. I can still accept a fight until October before I turn my focus to the SEA Games,” bahagi niya.
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“They granted my request because I am ready from August to October, and then the competitions would only run ‘til December.
“Now that I have this chance to give a gold medal to the Philippines again, I can’t really say no.”
Nirepresenta na ni Catalan ang SEA Games noong 2005 kung saan nanalo siya ng gold medal sa wushu sanda. Sinundan niya agad ito noong 2006 nang manalo siya ng isa pang gold medal, sa Asian Games naman.
Ngayon, matapos ang lagpas isang dekada, handa na si Catalan na makaharap ang mga kalaban niya.
“It’s been 14 years, I am just so happy to be given the opportunity to represent the Philippines once again,” sabi ni Catalan.
“Ever since I was a kid, my main goal has always been to give honor to my country. Now I have another opportunity to bring home a gold medal to the Philippines.”
“I saw that I have a good chance of bringing home a medal, so I decided to compete one more time,” sabi niya.
“Next year, I’ll be focusing on coaching the national team in sambo combat — that’s why I’ll definitely give my all to guarantee a gold medal in my last stint in the SEA Games.”
