Preparing for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games proved to be a challenge for Christian Tio, who clinched a silver medal in men’s kiteboarding.
As a resident of Boracay Island, he could not train in his own hometown for six months after it was ordered closed by the government. But this did not become his excuse to give up the sport.
“They closed it for water sports. I could not train. It was a challenge,” said the 17-year-old Tio, who gave the Philippines its only medal two weeks ago at Club Nautica San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Accompanied by his mother Liezl Mohn, Tio talked about his experience when they visited the Philippine Sports Commission office, where they paid commissioners Arnold Agustin and Celia Kiram and chef de mission Jonne Go a courtesy call.
Boracay was closed for six months starting April 26, 2018 as part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the island. Local officials said only registered island residents and employees of business establishments will have access to its facilities.
Tio’s family lives at the Bulabog beach area where they have a restaurant and many academies for watersports are located. He still had access to the gear available at his club, Freestyle Academy.
But when local officials said water sports activity will also be affected, his family made a decision for him to travel and train in other places.
In May, Tio found himself at the lakeside of Caliraya in Laguna. The following month he went to Italy to continue training. After that, he traveled to the Dominican Republic to acclimatize.
The decision to travel elsewhere eventually paid off for Tio as he shared his spot on the podium and a silver with Slovenia’s Toni Vodisek. They both finished behind contest leader Dominican Republic’s Deury Corniel in the IKA Twin Tip racing event.
By virtue of R.A. 10699, Tio is set to receive P2.5 million in cash incentives, with his coach receiving the equivalent of 50 percent of Tio’s incentive.
He will get his cash bonus, alongside the 2018 Asian Paragames medalists during ceremonies at the Malacañang Palace next month.